PDS - U.S. Embassy, Islamabad, Pakistan - OPEN Plus for Pakistan

Overview

The Regional English Language Office (RELO) in the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy Islamabad of the U.S. Department of State (hereafter referred to as “RELO Pakistan”) is pleased to announce an open competition for assistance awards through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). RELO Pakistan’s purpose in funding projects under this opportunity is to improve human capacity by creating a healthier, better educated, and more skilled workforce. The educators and youth who participate in this program will increase their English language proficiency and critical thinking skills, becoming more productive members of their community. They will be able to apply the new skills learned in the program to improve their teaching (educators) or to make them more competitive for future education or employment opportunities (students). 

OPEN Plus is an overarching term for virtual training both for English language teachers and English language learners. The virtual training available under OPEN Plus is packaged in many forms. Some courses will be initiated by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of English Language Programs and some by RELO Pakistan. Some courses work with limited cohorts of up to 50 participants; some may be open to anyone who wants to learn the topic offered. The overall goal of the OPEN Plus program is to provide an opportunity to educators and learners who are interested in expanding their skill set, but do not have either an in-person course of similar caliber available to them or are unable to attend in-person training due to security or logistical restrictions. OPEN Plus aims to improve the participants’ classroom methodology and/or their English language proficiency. In addition to improving English language methodology and/or English language proficiency, the program aims to expose participants to critical thinking skills as they relate to teaching and learning.

Project Objectives: By the end of the OPEN Plus Program, at least 1,000 pre-and-in-service English language teachers in Pakistan will increase their English language proficiency, improve their critical thinking skills, and become more confident educators with exposure to 21st century classroom methodology through online professional development opportunities. Another 1,000 students are anticipated to also increase their English language proficiency, improve their critical thinking skills, and become more confident English language speakers through tailored virtual programming designed to engage learners in social issues and current events. 

Participants: The target participants for this project are public/private sector educators and public/private school students. Encourage programming targeting under-employed and unemployed participants in documented climate-vulnerable and/or flood-affected areas. Participants for each of the virtual training opportunities will be identified and/or selected by the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in participating provinces.

Program Dates: October 01, 2023 to September 30, 2025

Length of performance period: Up to two (2) years 

Number of awards anticipated: 1 award