Estonia
2 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodSeptember StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
Program goal: to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Estonia.
Teaching role: ETA positions may be stand-alone teaching assignments or as assistants to English-language teachers. ETAs will be responsible for developing their own lesson plans and managing their own classrooms and schedules.
General benefits: ETAs benefit from cross-cultural interactions, research and personal interest possibilities, volunteering opportunities in their placement communities, and connection with a small community of other ETAs throughout the country.
Applicants are placed in classrooms at host institutions to provide assistance to the local English teachers. ETAs also serve as cultural ambassadors. ETAs are not full-fledged professors; the program is an entry-level professional development opportunity for them to advance their teaching skills and have a positive experience in the host country. ETA activities may include:
- Serving as a resource person in conversation groups
- Providing small group tutorials
- Assisting students with reading and writing English
- Giving presentations related to American studies in English classes and to school/civic organizations
- Preparing and organizing American culture-related activities, including movie nights and holiday celebrations
- Starting and running English language clubs
- Developing and facilitating educational community activities in cooperation with the Embassy
- Other tasks developed in cooperation with the Embassy and/or the host institution
Grant Length
Grant Period
The grant period is from September 15, 2025 to June 15, 2026.
Orientation
All grantees are required to attend a pre-departure orientation in June or July as a condition of their grant. The virtual event is organized by IIE.
An in-country orientation is arranged by the Embassy for all grantees upon arrival to Estonia.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate would be someone self-driven with a strong commitment to community service. Well-qualified candidates who possess a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline will be considered. Anyone with experience in mentoring, teaching, or working with youth will be strongly considered. Previous teaching experience and/or TESL/TESOL certification is not required but is helpful. Applicants must be fluent English speakers.
The ETA program in Estonia has a community service component. Close collaboration with U.S. Embassy-run programs and initiatives is expected.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Estonia is a small, Northern European country that has embraced new technologies and has seen tremendous development since regaining independence in 1991. The country may be best known as the birthplace of Skype, but since then many other start-ups founded here have gone global like Bolt, Wise, and Pipedrive. Estonia’s vibrant and innovative start-up culture is part of the reason it ranks among the most wired and technologically advanced countries in the world and is a leader in promoting Internet freedom. Most recently, Estonia has become a leader in providing e-government services, online voting, and is now even offering e-residency.
The capital city, Tallinn, was the European Green Capital in 2023. Tallinn’s medieval Old Town is brimming with charm and is full of restaurants, cafes, and cultural activities. Estonia’s belief in free speech contributes to its high freedom of press rankings. In 2023, Reporters Without Borders put the country 8th in its World Press Freedom index. In 2024, university city Tartu is the European Capital of Culture. Interesting insight into Estonia is provided in this privately published online magazine. There are ample opportunities for engagements throughout the country via the U.S. Embassy’s American Spaces program and EducationUSA Advising Centre at the Tallinn University of Technology.
Eligibility
3 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Additional Information: Language proficiency is not required, but is encouraged.
Russian is spoken in certain regions.
Placement Type
- Middle School
- Secondary School
- Vocational/Technical School
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
- Other Educational/Community Institution
Grantees may be placed in universities, schools, or other venues where English language instruction is needed. Applicants may indicate a host institution preference but the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy will seek the most appropriate placements. Grantees will likely be placed outside the capital.
Grantees will assist an experienced English language instructor and will serve as a resource for conversation, vocabulary, and reading and writing courses. Grantees may also be involved with some educational advising and outreach. Grantee hours and responsibilities will be discussed with the PDS and finalized prior to or upon arrival to Estonia.
Placement Locations
- Regional City
- Rural
Supplementary Project
As an English Teaching Assistant, responsibilities will not exceed 20 hours per week. Grantees are expected to engage in projects or other activities related to their personal, professional, and/or academic interests during the grant period. Grantees may pursue a course of study, conduct research on topics related to Estonia, engage in specific volunteer work, or a combination of these. Applicants should be flexible when considering their supplementary project.
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.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Students can use the following website as a resource to research the estimated cost of living in various parts of Estonia: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Estonia
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Candidates are expected to arrange their own housing with the help of host institutions. Limited assistance is available by PDS staff.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Visa Requirements
To obtain legal residency in Estonia, all candidates need to be ready to secure a D-type visa through the Estonian Embassy prior to embarking on the program in Estonia. The application needs to be coordinated with the Embassy and the host institution in Estonia to obtain necessary paperwork on behalf of the hosts.
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
US Embassy Twitter: https://twitter.com/USEmbTallinn
US Embassy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estonia.usembassy
US Embassy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usembassytallinn/?hl=en