Deadline: 31-Jul-23
The U.S. Embassy Dushanbe announces a call for proposals for the 2023-2025 English Access Microscholarship Program.
The purpose of this program is to provide disadvantaged youth with an opportunity to learn English language skills and enhance leadership through teaching the basics of American culture and values of democratic development and civic engagement. The program targets ninth grade secondary school students from underprivileged families to participate in the program. English Access Microscholarship Programs must provide two years of English study, consisting of at least 180 hours of instruction per year. The program should consist of English language courses, as well as out-of-classroom activities and enhancement elements.
Access Cost Proposal template should have a detailed breakdown of costs for the two-year program including after school instruction, books/materials, students’ transportation and snacks, project administration, enhancement activities, intensive sessions, admin costs, etc.
Phases
The Program is divided into distinct phases:
- After-School Instruction
- Access Program is a two-year program that requires a minimum of 360 hours of instruction reasonably distributed over the two-year period. After-school instruction has been the preferred time for teaching and has generally taken place three days a week with each class lasting from one to one and a half hours per day.
- Cultural Enhancement activities should be designed to provide hands-on and interactive opportunities for students to engage in discussions, games, community service, and other activities related to U.S. culture and values. Examples may include community events (celebrating U.S. holidays, e.g. Thanksgiving and/or Fourth of July events) and joint programming with participation of U.S. Embassy personnel, U. S. scholars in town (e.g. English Language Fellows, English Teaching Assistants, Fulbright Students), English language intensive sessions, leadership training, etc. Access Programs should also include computer instruction to complement English language classes and enhancement activities. Computer classes, multimedia learning, or social media activities during after-school Instruction and/or intensive sessions should be included in the proposal.
- Community Service Activities Access students should also be involved in community service activities to increase their awareness of issues facing their respective communities while also gaining an understanding of the ways they can positively contribute to civil society.
- Intensive Sessions
- Intensive Sessions are often two-week-long summer programs that include more instruction hours per week than the After-school program. These sessions are included in the 360 hours of required instruction. Hours of instruction during Intensive Sessions may not exceed 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Intensive sessions should combine English language instruction with U.S. cultural activities such as drama, computers, art, music, or games and sports, or even civic responsibility projects, leadership and teamwork training, or tolerance programs.
Funding Information
- On average, costs associated with one student in the framework of the two-year program are approximately $1,000. Each project can include up to 50 students or more. Projects that involve higher numbers of students with lower costs are encouraged. Students should be in the ninth grade when they start the program.
Requirements
- To be eligible for consideration, every applicant must be currently engaged in an English language teaching program. Both governmental and non-governmental organizations are eligible to apply for this program. Service providers from remote areas of Tajikistan are encouraged to apply.
- The Successful Provider will be Responsible for the Following Tasks:
- To advertise and promote the program in local community;
- To select program participants and staff members;
- To organize and provide the English Language instruction classes (after school, enhancement activities and intensive sessions);
- To work closely with the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan and English Language Program Staff.
- Technical and infrastructure requirements:
- The provider must specify the location(s) of the Access program and space that will be used for the classes and activities. The provider must either provide verification that the space belongs to the grantee or a written agreement with the holder of the space. The space must have seating for the students; it must have a blackboard/whiteboard, power outlet, heating (for the winter months), and minimal sanitary requisites. The space should also have a computer class with internet capability (or the grantee should consider providing for this separately).
- Functional requirements
- The provider is responsible for setting criteria for and identifying “economically disadvantaged youth” to be enrolled in the program. The provider is required to produce midterm and final performance reports. The provider should monitor students’ attendance and performance.
- The provider is responsible for creating a highly effective and innovative method for recruiting new Access teachers. This outreach would include, but not be limited to contacting local state education offices, private language schools and use of social media.
- Post the highlights on activities on the shared Access Facebook group.
- Connect the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program and other USG Alumni to Access with the goal of having one FLEX student or USG alumnus/alumna attached to every Access group in Tajikistan.
- The provider is responsible for maintaining a database of Access alumni.
- Work closely with the USANT (U.S. Alumni Network in Tajikistan) team to create activities for the community.
For more information, visit English Access Microscholarship Program.