Deadline: 3-May-23
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).
Components
Program Component 1: Professional Development for English Teachers from Non-Mainstream Institutions
- Goal: Strengthen English language learning by improving the capacity of Pakistani educators.
- Objective 1: Participants improve their English language communication skills as measured by a pre-test and a post-test after each two-week program is completed.
- Objective 2: Through trainings, participants are better prepared on how to respond to the needs of their students, and develop updated, customized curricula that focuses on student-centered learning while incorporating American English resources in the classroom.
- Objective 3: Participants share what they learned in workshops with English-language professional colleagues, thereby influencing pedagogy in their schools and home communities.
Program Component 2. Professional Development for Novice English Teachers (PDNET)
- Program Goal: Strengthen English language learning by improving the capacity of Pakistani educators.
- Objective 1: Participants adapt their own curriculum to incorporate lessons, principles, and concepts learned during PDNET workshops, for the benefit of their students.
- Objective 2: Participants share what they learned in PDNET with English-language professional colleagues, thereby influencing pedagogy in their schools and home communities.
- Objective 3: PDNET participants become members of the alumni network and understand how to use it as a professional resource and how to leverage the network to connect with and/or collaborate with other ELT professionals.
Program Component 3: Professional Development for Transgender Youth and for Afghan Teachers, Students, and Young Professionals Residing in Pakistan
- Program Goal: Strengthen English capacity and professional capability of Pakistani transgender youth and of Afghan teachers, students, and young professionals residing in Pakistan.
- Objective 1: Participants improve their English language communication skills, confidence, and leadership abilities as measured by a comparison between the results of the pre-test and post-test.
- Objective 2: Participants who work in academia share what they learned in these trainings with English-language professional colleagues, thereby influencing pedagogy in their schools and communities.
- Objective 3: Participants become members of the alumni network, and understand how to use it as a professional resource and how to leverage the network to connect and collaborate with other professionals.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: Minimum twenty-four and maximum thirty-six months
- Number of awards anticipated: 1 award
- Award amounts: May range from a minimum of $300,000 to a maximum of $500,000
- Total available funding: $500,000
Program Activities
Program Component 1. Professional Development for English Teachers from Non-Mainstream Institutions
- Proposals must include an implementation plan that addresses the objectives and activities described:
- Recruitment of teacher participants from a wide cross-section of Pakistani nonmainstream institutions in coordination with RELO.
- Roundtrip travel for participants and trainers within Pakistan, and for the U.S. English
- Language Specialist (s) coming from the U.S. to Pakistan, which will also include their
- visa(s) and the formal letters of invitation for visa applications.
- Logistical and technical arrangements for any U.S. English Language Specialist who will participate virtually or in-person.
- Procurement of educational materials for participants for use during and after the program.
- Arrangements for training venues, A/V equipment, accommodations, meals, airport transfers as needed, and other logistics during the course of the program.
- Organization of cultural events on weekends between sessions, such as field trips to local points of interest (museums, mosques, etc.).
- Material support, such as workshop supplies, language/curriculum books, etc.
Program Component 2. Professional Development for Novice English Teachers (PDNET)
- Proposals should plan for American English Language Specialists to work with Pakistani co-trainers to develop and lead the PDNET workshops. The workshops should equip participants with the necessary skills to teach English language more effectively and efficiently, such as: classroom management, syllabus and material development, assessment and evaluation, error analysis, use of IT in language teaching, teaching basic language skills, and student-centered teaching methods and approaches.
Program Component 3: Professional Development for Transgender Youth and for Afghan Teachers, Students, and Young Professionals Residing in Pakistan
- RELO Islamabad is seeking a partner who can develop and deliver courses for Pakistani transgender youth and for Afghan teachers, students, and young professionals residing in Pakistan. These courses should help participants increase their confidence, English communication skills, critical thinking, and leadership abilities. Separate courses can be designed for each audience, with the underlying shared goal of strengthening the English language capacity of participants for professional development.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Civil society/non-governmental organizations
- Public and private educational institutions
- Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, nongovernmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.