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EL SPECIALIST PROGRAM > Program Overview > Eligibility Requirements > Benefits > How to Become a Specialist > How to Request a Specialist > View Specialist Highlights > Submit Specialist Highlights > For Further Information

English Language Specialist Program

The English Language (EL) Specialist Program recruits United States academics in the fields of TEFL/TESL and Applied Linguistics for short term (two to six weeks) assignments abroad. Specialists work on well defined assignments that are identified by American Embassies overseas. These assignments may include curriculum projects, teacher training seminars, textbook development, English for Specific Purposes, and program evaluation. In many cases, Embassy officials will suggest a candidate; if not, the Office of English Language Programs recruits a specialist.

Occasionally an American Embassy will request a specialist for an even shorter visit to serve as a keynote speaker at a conference.

In some cases, specialists located in the United States consult with institutions abroad through a teleconference or a digital video conference.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to serve as an English Language Specialist, you must meet the following requirements:

• United States citizen
• MA or Ph.D. (TESL/TEFL or applied linguistics)
• Overseas experience
• Teacher training experience

Benefits

• Honorarium of $200/day
• Round trip airfare from residence to capital city
• Books and materials allowance $150.00
• Miscellaneous expenses $100.00
• Trip report fee $100.00
• Basic health insurance coverage

Travel and per diem are arranged jointly through the Office of English Language Programs and the American Embassies overseas.

Please note: Specialists who participate in digital video conferences (DVCs) or telepress conferences (TPCs) in the United States receive no honorarium or per diem, but do receive the $100 report fee as compensation, to be paid upon receipt of the report.

How to Request a Specialist

All requests for EL Specialists must come to the Office of English Language Programs from officers at U.S. Embassies overseas. Institutions not in the United States who are interested in having an EL Specialist for 2-6 weeks or a shorter term speaker must work with the Public Diplomacy Officer or Cultural Officer at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate and submit all requests for specialists to them. If they agree to the request, the Embassy will then send an official request to the Office of English Language Programs in Washington, D.C. This office will only accept official requests from U.S. Embassies and Consulates, and will not accept requests directly from any other institutions.

For standard two to six week specialist programs, the Office of English Language Programs will provide funds for the specialist's travel, honorarium, and materials allowance, but per diem (food and housing) for the specialist must be provided by the host institution and/or the U.S. Embassy submitting the request. When an American Embassy requests a speaker for a program shorter than two weeks, the Embassy must also fund the specialist's travel. The Office of English Language Programs will still provide honorarium and the materials allowance.

For Further Information:

English Language Specialist Program (ECA/A/L/W)
Department of State (Annex #44)
301 4th Street, S.W., Room 304
Washington, D.C. 20547

fax: 202-401-1250
e-mail: waltersjl@state.gov

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