If you are a young academic interested in teaching Bengali to American students and if you are looking for a scholarship to pursue professional development opportunities in the United States, here is important announcement for you.
The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program provides an opportunity for highly motivated Bangladeshi early career teachers of English and related fields to teach Bangla at a US college or university and to refine their skills, increase their English language proficiency, and enhance their knowledge of the United States.
The US Embassy in Bangladesh has announced a call for applications for the 2024-2025 Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program. The Fulbright Program is the US government’s flagship international educational exchange program aimed at fostering mutual understanding between the United States and other countries around the world. The Fulbright FLTA Program is sponsored by the US Department of State and is administered by the Institute of International Education.
The Fulbright FLTA program provides scholarships for highly motivated early career Bangladeshi educational professionals working in English language and other related fields (e.g., American studies, journalism and media, American or English Literature, and Bangla language instructors) to teach Bengali at a US higher education institution. This nine-month, non-degree program provides Bangladeshi academics with an excellent professional development opportunity to refine their skills, increase their English language proficiency, and enhance their knowledge of the United States.
Fulbright FLTA fellows typically teach Bengali language classes to American and international students from around the world. Fellows and their students will have a unique opportunity to learn about each other’s cultures and societies. Fulbright FLTA participants may assist with up to 20 hours of language classes per week and are required to enroll in at least two courses per semester, one of which must be in American Studies. Coursework is offered on either an audit or credit basis. Fulbright FLTA participants will also be expected to facilitate cultural events, language clubs, discussion groups, and interact with their host community through conversation groups, extracurricular activities, and community outreach events.
Since 2006, nearly 50 Bangladeshi academics have participated in this prestigious educational exchange.
To be eligible, interested candidates must meet the following requirements:
Be a teacher of English or related fields with no more than seven years of teaching experience at the university level.
Have at least a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited public or private university in Bangladesh.
Be fluent in English.
Have a valid minimum TOEFL score of 80 or IELTS score of 7.
Be a Bangladeshi citizen residing in Bangladesh at the time of application.
Submit a complete online application according to the program guidelines.
Applicants must demonstrate dependability, integrity, and professionalism. Material misrepresentation (e.g., plagiarism) at any time during the application or grant period is grounds for elimination or grant termination, as well as ineligibility for future participation in US government-sponsored programs. Applicants must reside in their home countries throughout the nomination and selection process. Family members are not permitted to accompany participants during the program.
Application package:
A completed online application.
Academic transcripts and certificates from each post-secondary institution attended (bachelor’s and master’s).
Three recommendation letters submitted and uploaded by the reference onto the online application portal (prospective candidates must register their references through the “Recommender Registration” button on the online application site).
Academic records information form (available on the online application site).
Valid TOEFL / IELTS score.
Application information and deadline:
Applications are due by Friday, June 30, 2023, at 11:59 pm (Bangladesh time).
For submitting online application, please visit. For detailed application instructions, please visit.
For further information, please contact Raihana Sultana, Public Engagement Specialist.
The Bengali language, also known as Bangla, holds a rich history and cultural significance in the Indian subcontinent. Originating from the Indo-Aryan language family, Bengali is the official language of Bangladesh and the state of West Bengal in India. With over 250 million speakers worldwide, it ranks among the top ten most spoken languages globally. The roots of the Bengali language can be traced back to the 7th century, when it emerged from the ancient language of Magadhi Prakrit. However, it was during the medieval period that Bengali started to evolve into a distinct language. The arrival of Muslim rulers in Bengal in the 13th century led to an amalgamation of Persian, Arabic, and Sanskrit influences, giving birth to a new literary tradition in the region.