Creation of an English Language Teacher Association

Overview

The U.S. Embassy Tashkent Public Diplomacy Section (PD) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition to create an English teaching association for past participants (“alumni”) of U.S. government-funded -English Speaking Nation (ESN) professional development programs and for other exceptional English language teachers throughout Uzbekistan. Grants must support the creation and registration of a new teaching association, as well as the initial activities of the new association including but not limited to member recruitment, and the creation of professional development activities to support English language learning and teaching. Initial activities could include but are not limited to programs and events organized by the association to support professional development for English language teaching and learning in the country; training new generations of English language teachers and students; teaching practical English for professionals; motivating students to excel at English learning; and establishing English programs that support economic growth.

Background: In partnership with the Ministry of Preschool and School Education (MoPSE), the Public Diplomacy Section recently completed the English Speaking Nation (ESN) teacher training program. This program provided training to 18,313 secondary school English teachers throughout Uzbekistan. Many of these teachers have been identified by MoPSE and their local communities as exceptional practitioners and leaders, however, there is not a formal organization for former program participants to organize and support English language teaching and learning throughout Uzbekistan. Therefore, the U.S. Embassy seeks to establish a new English teaching association in order to reconnect former English Speaking Nation-trained teachers and incorporate other highly-motivated English teachers into the organization and support Uzbekistan’s English language initiatives to drive innovative pedagogical practices throughout the country.

Project Goal: Improve the quality of English language education in Uzbekistan through the establishment of an English language teacher association.

Project Audience(s): Primary audiences for proposals should be former ESN-trained teachers, English language teachers, and administrators with demonstrated excellence. Depending on the focus, projects may have secondary audiences or beneficiaries including but not limited to students, or wider professional audiences, which you may note in the proposal.

Project Objectives: The Embassy seeks applications that address the objectives below. Each objective includes potential activities, but the Embassy welcomes creative approaches.

Objective 1: Create a network of English language teachers in Uzbekistan by establishing a formal English language educators association.
The association should aim to serve as a sustainable platform that fosters collaboration, networking, and resource-sharing among English language educators in Uzbekistan in order to sustain the successes of the ESN program.

Objective 2: Facilitate relationships and opportunities among English language teachers in Uzbekistan to share resources and engage in discussions related to best practices in English-language teaching and learning. Examples of potential activities include but are not limited to:

• Conferences
• Trainings
• Collaborative lesson planning sessions where teachers can work together to design lesson plans, create teaching materials and brainstorm innovative teaching ideas.
• Development and maintenance of online resources for teachers
• Mentorship programs
• Peer observation and feedback sessions

Objective 3: Strengthen instructional skills and pedagogical techniques of English language teachers through professional development workshops. Examples of potential activities/topics include but are not limited to:

• Innovative teaching methodologies, including incorporating technology in teaching
• Continuing education opportunities
• Assessment strategies
• Classroom management techniques

NOTE: Must be an accredited school, institute, teacher training center, university, or non- profit organization legally permitted to operate in Uzbekistan.

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding.

Length of performance period: 12 to 18 months 
Number of awards anticipated: 1 award 
Anticipated program start date: October 15, 2024
Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement