About Fulbright
Established in 1946, Fulbright is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Government. The purpose of the Fulbright Program is “to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.” With this goal in mind, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 participants with the opportunity to exchange ideas, experience cultures, and observe each other’s political and economic institutions. Singapore’s first Fulbrighters travelled to the United States in 1956. Since then, over 500 Singaporean Fulbrighters have studied, researched, and experienced life in the United States.
About the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program
The U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for the 2024-2025 Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program. This program is a nine-month, non-degree program for early career teachers or professionals to teach Mandarin in a U.S. college or university. While serving as Mandarin language teaching assistants to U.S. students and strengthening foreign language instruction at U.S. colleges and universities, participants have the opportunity to refine their teaching skills and extend their knowledge of the society and culture of the United States. Fulbright FLTA participants also interact with their host communities in conversation groups, extracurricular activities, and community outreach projects. Participants must be open to placements that represent the diverse range of U.S. academic institutions.
Fulbright FLTA participants will assist in up to twenty hours of language classes a week and are required to enroll in at least two courses per semester, one of which must be in U.S. Studies. Fulbright FLTA participants will also be expected to facilitate in-person or virtual cultural events, language clubs, and language tables.
Fulbright FLTA participants will also be required to attend two activities sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and coordinated by the Institute of International Education (IIE), the FLTA implementing partner: attendance at a U.S.-based orientation prior to arrival at host institutions in August 20244 and a mid-year enrichment conference in the United States in November 2024which will provide additional training on teaching techniques and pedagogy and a platform for Fulbright FLTA participants to share information about their current teaching experiences with their peers.
Please note that final selection for the Fulbright FLTA Program is dependent upon approval by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) and the ability to match the requests of U.S. host institutions with the language skills of the applicant pool.
Award Benefits
- Monthly stipend.
- Accident and sickness health benefit coverage.
- Travel and visa support.
- Tuition waivers by your host institution to support your required coursework under the FLTA program.
Eligibility
- Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident.
- Proficient in Mandarin. Shortlisted candidates will be required to pass a Mandarin language test.
- Preference given to early career teachers, particularly those who already teach/ are in training to teach Mandarin.
- Preference given to applicants who have little or no prior experience living in the United States.
- Applicants selected for a Fulbright award are required to submit a Medical History & Examination Report before their grants can be finalized.
Competition Schedule
- August 15, 2023 – Competition opens.
- October 17, 2023 – Deadline for submission of completed application forms.
- Mid-November 2023 – Shortlisted candidates are interviewed and undergo a mandarin language test.
- End-November 2023 – Notification of candidacy by Embassy.
- March-May 2024 – Successfully placed candidates will be notified.
- August 2024 – Departure for the United States*.
*Prospective Fulbright participants should be aware that public health conditions, availability of consular services and travel, as well as U.S. institutional operating status and policies may affect their ability to travel to the U.S. and participate in academic programs.
Application Procedure
Fill in the online application at: https://apply.iie.org/flta2024. A complete application package includes the online application, original academic transcripts and degree scroll (if already graduated), and three letters of reference. Depending on the eventual host institution’s requirements, candidates may be required to take the TOEFL or IELTS at a later date. Please note that a valid passport with an expiration date of no earlier than December 31, 2025 will be required.
For more information contact:
Academic & Professional Exchanges Specialist
Public Affairs Section
U.S. Embassy Singapore
27 Napier Road
Singapore 258508
Email: Singaporefulbright@state.gov