Nepal
2 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodMarch StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant grant provides participants the opportunity to assist in the teaching of English in high schools/colleges in Kathmandu Valley. The Nepal program seeks applicants with prior teaching or tutoring experience. Applicants must be flexible, able to work independently, and willing to function in a challenging, under-resourced school environment.
Grant Length
Grant Period
The Nepal English Teaching Assistant Program commences in March to align with Nepal's academic year. ETAs arrive in mid-March to participate in a one-month orientation program prior to their placements. ETAs work in their respective schools from mid-April through mid-Janaury of the following year.
Orientation
Mandatory one-month orientation includes Nepali-language training, familiarization with Nepal's educational system and school curriculum, and tips on classroom strategies.
Candidate Profile
Applications from Master’s graduates with prior teaching experience and who demonstrate a high level of independence and the flexibility to succeed in a challenging environment are preferred. Applications from Bachelor’s graduates with teaching certification and a minimum of 1-2 years teaching experience may also be considered. Candidates with degrees in English, Education, and TEFL/applied linguists are preferred, but those from all majors are welcome to apply. Successful candidates must be articulate, fluent English speakers without dependents.
Selected ETAs must complete 60 hours of an online TEFL fundamentals course prior to starting the program unless they can verify having completed comparable training previously.
Facilities in most of Nepal's schools are extremely limited. Applicants must demonstrate flexibility, resourcefulness, a willingness to accept challenges, and, where necessary, recalibrate their expectations.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Being an ETA in Nepal is an opportunity for both professional and personal growth. A fundamental part of the experience is engagement with local students, teachers, and communities, sharing knowledge and perspectives. ETAs must be prepared to face challenges such as adjusting to different cultural and professional norms and coping with weak infrastructure, urban pollution, and other health hazards. High degrees of maturity, flexibility, patience, creativity, and resilience are required, along with a sense of humor.
Eligibility
6 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Foreign Language Proficiency
ETAs are expected to self-study the Nepali language prior to arrival in Nepal in preparation for intensive language training during their one-month orientation in country. The grant includes an allowance for incidentals and continued language learning, which is encouraged by the Commission, as proficiency in Nepali language or other local languages is very beneficial for the ETA. ETAs should explore technology for Nepali-English translation and vice versa prior to arriving in country.
Placement Type
- Secondary School
- Teacher Training
- Other Educational/Community Institution
Placements are in high schools/colleges with local counterpart teachers who teach classes in English. Approximately 25 hours per week of classroom teaching, plus requisite class preparation time and school-related activities, are required.
Placement Locations
- Capital City
Placements are in crowded urban areas within the Kathmandu Valley.
Supplementary Project
The supplementary project is conducted alongside the ETA's teaching responsibilities. It should be placement-school based and/or directly benefit the school, students, teachers, senior management committee and community, showcasing English learning. Past projects have ranged from setting up a school library to after-school teacher training and theatrical performance of an English play. Projects must be completed by the end of grant duration.
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.
- Excess baggage fees
- Language training allowance
- Settling in allowance
Excess baggage: $400
Language/incidentals: $300
Additional Grant Benefits
- Mid-year seminar
ETAs will meet with Commission staff and expert resource persons to share their experiences and discuss teaching approaches/strategies during a mid-year check-in, usually in June. In addition, they will be invited to participate with other Fulbright grantees in an annual enrichment retreat where they will share their experiences and discuss matters of national or global importance.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
For day-to-day expenses, $20-35 suffices if cooking at home. Dining out may cost $15-$25 per meal at a good restaurant. Travel has been made easier due to the advent of ride apps such as Pathao, Tootle, and InDriver. Public transport is cheaper, but congested. Housing is located near placement schools to reduce commuting.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
ETAs are provided furnished housing in apartments/flats/guest houses near the schools where they teach.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Nature of Assignment
Nepal ETAs assist teachers, providing a native-speaker’s presence in the classroom. Nepal ETAs in the past have engaged in a broad range of creative school-based and community-based activities that have included students, school teachers, NGOs, and others. Approximately 25 hours per week of classroom teaching, plus requisite class preparation time and school-related activities, are required.
The Nepal academic calendar includes extended periods of school closure in October, November, and December, and shorter breaks at other times of the year. The calendar may vary school-to-school. ETAs must take any personal vacation time during periods of school closure. Personal travel outside of Nepal is limited to 14 days during the grant period (including travel days but not including weekends). Travel must be undertaken during periods of school closure and is not permitted during the final 30 days of the grant.