Algeria
2 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodOctober StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright Program in Algeria plans to award up to two English Teaching Assistant (ETA) grants. The ETA program seeks to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Algeria, and U.S. Fulbright grantees to Algeria will find a dynamic and rewarding environment in which to teach. As the Algerian government seeks to diversify its economy beyond the oil and gas sectors, it is increasingly looking to the United States and other countries for expertise in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), business administration, education, and English-teaching. Algeria’s large youth population is turning its attention toward American culture and recognizes the value of English as a global language. This trend is supported in large measure by the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research as well as university and school administrators. Given this environment and Algerians' seeming insatiable appetite for English-language learning, Algeria can be a very rewarding teaching experience for motivated, flexible, and adventurous English Teaching Assistants (ETAs).
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grant dates correspond with the academic year in Algeria, which starts in early October 2025 and goes through late June or early July 2026. The grant period begins with an in-country orientation at the U.S. Embassy (aka Post). ETAs are required to attend and participate in the orientation. The academic year includes three terms: October through December, January through March, and April through early-July. There are two two-week breaks in winter and spring, and the calendar may be adjusted around Islamic holidays. Algeria operates on a Sunday to Thursday work week. Despite the local government's initiative for opening new universities to accommodate a surge in the university-aged population, over-crowding at some schools means that classes are taught on Saturdays as well. Students, faculty, or administration-led strikes are not uncommon as forms of collective action to draw attention or advance priorities on certain issues.
Orientation
All grantees are required to attend a Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) in the United States in the summer of 2025 as a condition of their grants.
Post will provide a security and a consular briefing upon arrival during the in-country orientation session.
Candidate Profile
Applicants at all degree levels will be considered; however, priority will be given to applicants with a Master's degree or higher education level. Applicants possessing appropriate language facility and previous cross-cultural experience will find their teaching and living in Algeria more effectively accomplished and their Fulbright experience enhanced. Applicants should be knowledgeable of global issues, resourceful, tolerant, and flexible. They must be understanding and respectful of cultural nuances as well as security realities. They must demonstrate the initiative, leadership, and confidence required to advance the teaching of their subject in a foreign setting. Previous study, work, or travel experience in North Africa or the Middle East and some familiarity with Arab and Islamic culture is preferred. All fields of study will be considered, but preference is given to studies related to English, English education, bilingual education, linguistics, U.S. studies and American civilization, including history and literature. Given this environment and Algerians' seeming insatiable appetite for English-language learning, Algeria can be a very rewarding teaching experience for motivated, flexible, and adventurous ETAs.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Algeria is the largest country on the African continent with a diverse Arab and Amazigh population of 40 million and a mixed Arabic-Darija-Amazigh-French language environment. Higher education is universally free and students are given a stipend as well. Degree programs follow the French-based LMD (license, magistere, doctorat) system. Algeria operates on a Sunday to Thursday work week. However, the increasingly large number of students at certain schools has resulted in the addition of some classes on Saturdays as well. Students, faculty, or administration-led strikes are not uncommon as forms of collective action to draw attention to or advance priorities on certain issues.
There is a Metro in the capital of Algiers that serves a few locations downtown. There are also bus systems and two high-speed train routes between Algiers, Oran, Annaba, and Constantine. Taxis can be used in Algeria, especially in major cities and areas with good road networks. Ride hailing apps available in major cities include Yassir, Heetch or TemTem.
The Algerian healthcare system includes primary health care units and centers, general hospitals, university hospitals, and specialist hospitals. There are also a number of privately run clinics and hospitals which can be found in Algiers and other cities along the northern coast.
Eligibility
1 Month
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
A working knowledge of either French or Arabic significantly helps ETAs better communicate with communities and universities. The Maghrebi dialect 'Darija' (Algerian, Moroccan, or Tunisian) can be more helpful for daily life than Modern Standard Arabic. No language instruction is provided by Post, but ETAs may seek a tutor or enroll in language courses at the ETA’s expense.
Placement Type
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
The U.S. Embassy's Public Affairs Section (PAS) manages the Fulbright Program in Algeria. PAS (or Post) negotiates ETA placements with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which has central authority over all aspects of higher education in the country. Details of assignments are subject to communication between Post and the host institution based on the host institution’s needs and the academic profile and teaching experience of the selected candidate. Applicants needing more information about the higher education system, specific institutions, class loads, and potential contacts should email Staci Dawson, Cultural Affairs Officer at dawsonsr@state.gov or Salima Hacene, Education Outreach Coordinator at hacenes@state.gov or Lamia Lachtar, lachtarl@state.gov Education and English Language Specialist.
The ETA role with the host institution takes precedence over any secondary English teaching initiative/duties. Secondary duties will include leading a regular schedule of English language or U.S.-related activities at the American Cultural Center in Algiers, located in the U.S. Embassy, and/or leading activities in Embassy-sponsored American Corners, currently in Oran, Constantine, and Ourgala, Bechar as travel and security allow.
Placement Locations
- Regional City
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
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Please see this site for information about the cost of living in Algeria: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Algeria
Dependents
Dependent financial support includes a modest increase in the monthly stipend.
Housing Arrangements
The host institution will not provide housing but host institution and/or Post will assist grantees in locating nearby and appropriate housing.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Nature of Assignment
The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program aims to strengthen English language instruction at Algerian universities by providing up to 20 hours per week of assistance to permanent teaching staff. At the same time, U.S. participants gain from the intensive cross-cultural interaction and international educational opportunities.
Additional Dependent Information
For grantees with school-aged children, the recently-opened American International School of Algiers (AISA) can accomodate students up to sixth grade in English-medium education at the grantee's expense. Applicants interested in bringing school-aged dependents should contact Staci Dawson, Cultural Affairs Officer at dawsonsr@state.gov or Salima Hacene, Education Outreach Coordinator at hacenes@state.gov or Lamia Lachtar, lachtarl@state.gov Education and English Language Specialist.
Security Information
Though the capital city Algiers is generally considered safe and embassy staff does travel to other cities, travel outside the capital is subject to review of the security environment at the time of travel. Please refer to the most recent State Department Travel Advisory for Algeria for more details. Final awards and placements will be contingent upon a further evaluation of the security situation in Algeria. All Fulbright grantees must sign an agreement to abide by security and travel guidelines for Algeria.
Contact(s)
When emailing Salima Hacene, Education Outreach Coordinator at hacenes@state.gov , be sure to also include the Embassy's Cultural Affairs Officer Staci Dawson at dawsonsr@state.gov or Lamia Lachtar, lachtarl@state.gov Education and English Language Specialist.
Visa/Residency Information
Please note that the visa application to Algeria depends on the consular jurisdiction. For more information, please review: http://www.algeria-cgny.org/visa-application/. Selected grantees will need to provide an official letter from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research with their visa application package. Grantees will be provided with additional information if selected.