Albania
2 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
In line with Mission priorities and in support of the Government of Albania's educational reforms to introduce English at a very young age, the US Embassy considers the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) Program as an important tool to develop and strengthen English language instruction at Albanian schools by establishing a native-speaker presence to provide part-time assistance for 16 teaching hours per week to permanent teaching staff. English Teaching Assistants work to improve students' English language abilities and knowledge of the United States' culture, and help teachers integrate language teaching with cultural education. At the same time, they are integrated in the host community and gain from intensive cross-cultural interaction. Each host institution will tailor the assistantship to its language teaching needs and the grantee’s background, academic interests, and abilities, and will place the ETA under the supervision of a teacher-tutor.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants will begin in September 2025 with an end date in June 2026. Please note that the academic year for the K-12 education system starts in mid-September and runs through mid June. However, exact dates are announced by the Ministry of Education in July of the same calendar year.
Orientation
All grantees are required to attend a virtual pre-departure orientation in June or July as a condition of their grant.
Public Affairs Section Tirana (aka Post) will join the Fulbright EUR Pre-Departure Orientation to provide information to grantees prior to their arrival in the country, and also organize the in-country orientation including security and medical briefings upon grantees' arrival in the country.
Candidate Profile
Graduating seniors, recent graduates, and Master’s degree candidates/graduates are eligible who are willing to assist local English teachers (as co-teachers) mainly in high schools. Candidates must be fluent English-speakers and need to be adaptable, flexible, independent, and enjoy working with young students. Teaching experience or experience working with teens/high school students is preferred.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Albania hosted Fulbright ETA for the first time in the academic year 2023-2024. Soon upon arrival they felt welcome by their host institutions, students, and teacher peers experiencing and merging into the Albanian tradition of friendliness and hospitality. Albanians were willing to welcome them to their homes, share their traditions and culture, and take pride in the fact that Americans were teaching in their schools. Eager to learn and/or improve their English language skills, the students cherished the experience to interact with a Fulbright ETA and the most outgoing befriended them outside the classroom.
The Fulbright ETAs have also travelled round the country exploring Albania as an increasingly popular tourist destination for visitors from all around the world. Albania is the home of several archeological sites, with ongoing excavations uncovering more about the country's long history, rich traditions, and a people proud of their religious tolerance and the code of Besa (The Promise). History and art museums feature a number of works and artifacts that testify to the ancient history and inherited culture.
Current Fulbright ETA SARA Gace shares the following: "Being part of the first Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETA) cohort in Albania has been an adventure filled with colorful experiences. In the picturesque town of Gjirokaster, where every corner holds a piece of history, I've found myself deeply immersed in the local community. My days are spent not only teaching English to enthusiastic children but also learning from them and sharing cultural exchanges. Outside of work, I explore the town's cobblestone streets, savoring delicious Albanian dishes and soaking up the warm hospitality of the locals. My weekends are full of exploring, whether it's discovering nearby attractions or bonding with other Fulbrighters and locals over shared experiences particularly to the Albanian lifestyle. Living in Gjirokaster has added an extra layer of charm to my Fulbright journey in Albania."
Eligibility
2 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Special Application Instructions
Post will facilitate ETA placements at host institutions prior to grantees' arrival.
Foreign Language Proficiency
ETAs will be assigned to general education high schools in small towns outside the capital and/or the vocational high school of foreign languages in Tirana. Post expects target students to have some exposure to English language and American Hollywood culture. As a result, study of Albanian prior to arrival is not necessary to engage in communication with the students. However, it is encouraged to facilitate basic communication with the host community.
Placement Type
- Middle School
- Secondary School
- Vocational/Technical School
ETAs will be placed primarily in high schools with primary responsibilities focusing on grades 9-12. ETAs will work with English language teachers. As fluent speakers, ETAs will be assisting teachers develop the speaking and communication skills of teen learners through interactive means including American culture components.
English language classes are taught twice a week in General education high schools and 4 times a week in the vocational school of foreign languages, with each session for 45 minutes long. Class sizes vary between 25-35 or 40 students. The ETA will potentially be scheduled to visit more than one location on a regular basis for a total of 16 hours/week. This will require close cooperation and good planning with the English language teacher or teachers at school.
Placement Locations
- Capital City
- Regional City
Potential regional cities for ETA placements are: Tirana (for the vocational high school of foreign languages combined with another high school), Korce, or other regions, provided clearance by the local Ministry of Education is received.
Supplementary Project
Post would like to have ETAs engage in different programs and/or projects funded by ECA and Post such as the Access Program and Post-funded English Projects, or initiate activities that promote English language teaching and American culture like English language clubs, presentations for the English Language Teachers Networks, etc.
Access Program - The English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) is a global program supported by the U.S. Department of State. Access provides a foundation of English language skills to talented 13–20-year-olds from economically disadvantaged sectors through after-school classes and intensive sessions. U.S. Embassy Albania is implementing an Access program for the first time for 25 middle school students from villages nearby Tirana. We plan to submit the proposal for the next round, targeting the same age group of students from a small town outside the capital. In addition to the English enhancement component of the program, one key element of the Access Program is to familiarize students with important features of U.S. culture and values. An ETA working with the Access Program (as available in their host city) will be a great resource as a fluent speaker and engage students in activities related to U.S. culture and values as well as summer camps.
Post-funded Projects – Pending the availability of funds, Post (the U.S. Embassy) opens the call for local organizations to provide English language opportunities to students outside the capital. With current funds, over 130 students ages 12-17 in Tropoje, Permet, Burrel and Ndroq Village are currently participating in the program developing their English language skills and engaging in hands-on interactive opportunities that include at least one U.S. cultural component.
All these programs are aimed at giving these participants English skills that may lead to better jobs and educational prospects. Participants also gain the ability to compete for and participate in future exchanges and study in the United States.
English Language Clubs – These are not very common practices in the Albanian schools and universities. However, when they are initiated by an English Teaching Assistant, U.S. Fulbright Student or Scholar they are well attended and have proved to be very beneficial to the participants and creating a new model in the Albanian schools. Clubs may be hosted both at schools or local libraries.
English Language Teachers Networks – platforms for English language professional development at the local level (regional, town) that bring together teachers of the respective education division. Teachers meet once a month and discuss or train on a topic of interest and share and learn from each other. English language teachers would greatly benefit from an ETA on topics such as how to write an application, presentation skills, etc.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
- English language teaching preparatory course
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
The one-time allowances total includes allowances for round trip international airfare, settling in expenses, and research. Settling in allowance would include costs related to temporary housing upon arrival when the Fulbright ETA will be looking at apartment options available for long term rent. This may be hotel or AirBnB accommodation.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Diplomatic pouch
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
The living conditions and infrastructure in Albania are good, particularly in cities. However, rural areas are still developing and infrastructure, especially roads, can be poor. Internet access is widely available in homes and in cafes in urban areas. Rural areas have more limited access to the Internet, but many people connect via smartphones. Electronics are available for purchase but are often very expensive. The average cost of living is reported to be between $400 to $500 monthly for one individual not including rent. However, with inflation and exchange rate it is advisable to consider $500 outside the Capital and $600 in Tirana. Monthly housing costs vary between $700 and $900, depending on location and size.
Dependents
Dependents may accompany grantees. U.S. citizens are not required to have a visa to travel to Albania. Requirements for a residency permit may change in the future and Post staff can support the grantees in every step of the application process.
Housing Arrangements
The host institution will not provide housing but host institution and/or Post will assist grantees in locating nearby and appropriate housing. Post staff has experience working with real estate companies and host institutions to help identify housing in centrally located places and that are easily accessible for grantees.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
Quality Assurance Agency for Pre-University Education : http://arsimiparauniversitar.gov.al/