teachers of critical languages program 2015 china ap… · web viewrecommendation forms not...

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A Program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State

THE TEACHERS OF CRITICAL LANGUAGES PROGRAM

EXCHANGE TEACHER APPLICATION 2015- 2016

Implemented by American Councils for International Education in cooperation with Hanban

The Teachers of Critical Languages Program, a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, is implemented by American Councils for International Education in cooperation with Hanban. 1

Teachers of Critical Languages Program A program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Implemented by American Councils for International Education in cooperation with Hanban

PROGRAM OVERVIEWThe Teachers of Critical Languages Program seeks to increase the study and acquisition of important world languages in U.S. schools. This program enables primary and secondary schools in the U.S. to strengthen their teaching of Arabic and Mandarin by bringing Egyptian and Chinese teachers of English as a Foreign Language to teach Arabic and Chinese language and culture for an academic year. In addition, Arabic and Chinese teachers have the opportunity to learn more about U.S. teaching methodologies, culture, and society, as well as to improve their English language proficiency. The exchange teachers also serve as cultural resources in the host school and community.

PROGRAM ORGANIZATIONS

BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATEThe Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries to promote friendly, and peaceful relations, as mandated by the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961.

ECA accomplishes its mission through a range of programs based on the benefits of mutual understanding, international educational and cultural exchange, and leadership development. ECA engages youth, students, educators, artists, athletes, and rising leaders in many fields in the United States and more than 160 countries through academic, cultural, sports, and professional exchanges. Striving to reflect the diversity of the United States and global society, ECA programs, funding, and other activities encourage the involvement of American and international participants from traditionally underrepresented groups, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities.

ECA exchange program alumni encompass over 1 million people around the world, including more than 40 Nobel Laureates and more than 300 current and former heads of state and government.

AMERICAN COUNCILS FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAmerican Councils for International Education, an international not-for-profit organization, believes in the fundamental role of education in fostering positive change for individuals, institutions and societies. Building upon over three decades of regional expertise and development experience, American Councils advances education and research worldwide through international programs that provide the global perspective essential for academic and professional excellence. In collaboration with partners around the world, American Councils designs and implements innovative and effective programs responsive to the cultures and needs of the international communities in which it works.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

Candidates will be considered without respect to race, color, religion, sexual orientation or gender. Competition for the TCLP is merit-based and open to anyone who:

Is a citizen of China who currently resides in China; Is currently a full time teacher of English as a Foreign Language or Chinese as a Foreign Language in a

primary or secondary (K-12) school in China; At the time of application has at least four years of classroom teaching experience; Has a firm understanding of Standard Mandarin; Has at least a Bachelor’s degree;


Has English-language proficiency in written and spoken English; and Has submitted a complete application package (please see Application Checklist).

Individuals in the following circumstances are NOT eligible for the TCLP:

U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States, or their spouses; Individuals currently participating in academic, training, or research programs in the United States; Individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years; Individuals currently studying, residing, or working outside of China; and Individuals who have participated in an exchange visitor program sponsored by the U.S. government for a

period of more than six weeks in the last five years.

The U.S. Department of State and American Councils reserve the right to verify all of the information included in the application. In the event that there is a discrepancy, or information is found to be false, the application will immediately be declared invalid and the applicant ineligible.

Applications not meeting the above technical eligibility requirements will not be forwarded to the selection committee.

PROGRAM TIMELINE Application deadline: January 8, 2015 Notification of program semi-finalists: March 2015 Semi-finalist interviews in Beijing: Mid-March 2015 Notification of program finalists: April 2015 Pre-departure orientation in Beijing: June 2015 Exchange program in the U.S.: end of July 2015 – June 2016

PROGRAM PROVISIONSTCLP is funded through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State and provides:

J-1 visa support; A pre-departure orientation held in the participant’s home country; Round-trip travel from each participant’s home country to and within the U.S.; An eight-day welcome orientation in Washington, DC; An approximate 10.5-month teaching assignment in a U.S. host school; Professional development workshops; Accident and sickness insurance; Assistance with finding housing, generally arranged by the U.S. host school/educational community; Maintenance allowance of approximately $30,000 comprised of a maintenance stipend of $20,000 and an

area housing allowance based on average housing prices for the assigned host community.

SELECTION PROCESSThe U.S. Department of State and American Councils will convene an independent panel that will review the applications on the basis of the following:

Professional and educational experience and achievements; Demonstrated leadership potential; Flexibility, maturity, and ability to participate in an international academic exchange; Ability to express ideas clearly and effectively; Demonstrated commitment to current pedagogy and willingness to adapt methodology; Willingness to co-teach in the U.S. classroom; and Potential for developing long-term linkages between U.S. and Chinese educational institutions and schools.

Exchange teachers cannot bring their dependents to the U.S. while on program, may not extend their program in the United States, and are required to return to China after their program concludes in June 2016. Exchange teachers are also subject to the home residency requirement which obligates J-1 Exchange Program teachers to return to China and reside there for two years following completion of their program.


APPLICATION GUIDELINES The TCLP application deadline is JANUARY 8, 2015, 5:00 p.m. (Beijing Time); To be considered for the program, please submit a complete application package online (please see

Application Checklist for application package requirements); Incomplete application packages or packages submitted by fax or e-mail will not be accepted; Unless otherwise noted, please answer all questions in English; If a question does not apply to you, please enter N/A (not applicable); There is a limit of three (3) attachments per applicable question; if more than three are submitted, the

application may be disqualified; Additional materials (such as student work or hand-outs) should NOT be included in the package; and Materials that require technical equipment (such as audio or videotapes) will not be reviewed by the

selection committee.

GUIDELINES ON RECOMMENDATION FORMAll applicants must include: One completed recommendation form from a person who is the applicant’s supervisor and is familiar with

his/her professional work; it cannot be written by a family member. Recommendations must be submitted with the application by the application deadline date. Recommendations submitted separately or submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

Please provide an English translation of the recommendation letter if it is not written in English. The translated letter does not need to be certified or notarized, but should be clearly marked as a translation. Recommendation writers must submit their comments online through the TCLP application system.

Application packages, including the professional recommendation, should be submitted by the deadline date via email to [email protected] and must CC [email protected].

For additional information, please contact:

Wang HuiAmerican Councils for International EducationPhone: +86 13911795941Email: [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]



Teachers of Critical Languages Program ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION CHECKLIST

A program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of StateImplemented by American Councils for International Education in cooperation with Hanban

Applications not meeting the technical eligibility requirements will not be forwarded to the selection committee. In order to be considered for the 2015-2016 Teachers of Critical Languages Program please confirm that you meet program and application requirement listed below:

You are a citizen of China who currently resides and works/studies in China;You are currently a full time teacher of English as a Foreign Language or Chinese as a Foreign Language in a primary or secondary (K-12) school in China;At the time of application you have at least four years of classroom teaching experience;You have a firm understanding of Standard Mandarin; You have at least a Bachelor’s degree; You have English-language proficiency in written and spoken English; andYou have submitted a complete application package (please see Application Checklist).

You are NOT a U.S. citizen, permanent resident of the United States or the spouse of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.;You have NOT applied for U.S. permanent residency (green card) in the past three years;You are NOT currently participating in academic, training, or research programs in the United States; andIn the past five years you have NOT participated in an exchange visitor program sponsored by the U.S. government that has lasted more than six weeks.

Your application package includes :

An Exchange Teacher Application Form; An essay that includes detailed answers to all questions; A signed copy of the Application Certification Statement;Transcript(s)/teaching certification(s);A resume of no more than two pages;A recent photograph of the applicant; andThe recommendation from the applicant’s supervisor: If the recommendation is not in English, an accurate translation must be submitted with the original.

Application package should be received by American Councils via online submission no later than 5:00 p.m. Beijing time, on January 8, 2015. For questions, please contact:

Wang HuiAmerican Councils for International EducationPhone: +86 13911795941Email: [email protected]



Teachers of Critical Languages Program EXCHANGE TEACHER APPLICATION FORM

A program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of StateImplemented by American Councils for International Education in cooperation with Hanban

Personal Data

1. Name of Applicant Exactly as it Appears on Passport:

(First or Given Name) (Middle Name)

(Last or Family Name)

2. Date of Birth: 3. Gender: Male Female(Month/Day/Year)

4. Place of Birth: (City) (Province, Region, or Governorate) (Country)

5. Country of Citizenship: 6. Country of Legal Residence:

7. Passport Number: 8. Passport Expiration Date: (Month/Day/Year)

**Please note that BEFORE selection interviews are conducted, applicants must obtain a passport valid through December 31, 2016 for the potential stay in the U.S.

9. Marital Status: Single Married Divorced Widowed Other

10. Number of Children (if any): 11. Ages of Children (if any):

**Please note that J-2 visas for children or spouses will NOT be issued on this program

12. Total number of years of full time teaching in an elementary or secondary school system in home country:

13. Program Information: How did you first learn about the TCLP? (Please check below)

American Councils Beijing Office Hanban Website Conference:

Lecture/Presentation Educational Advising Center Publication/Ad:

Internet/TCLP Website Friend/Colleague Electronic Listserv:

From a US Embassy Representative Ministry of Education Program Alumnus:

My school/nearby school staff Other:

Contact Information14. Current Home Address:

Street name: Apartment: PO Box (if applicable):

City, Province/State: Zip/ Postal Code:

Home Phone: ( ) Mobile: ( ) Fax: ( )


Pease upload a recent photograph

here

Your E-mail:

15. Emergency Contact Information in China: Please indicate an individual who could be contacted in case of an emergency.

Name: Relationship to You:

Street: Apartment: PO Box (if applicable):

City, Province/State: Zip/Postal Code:

Home Phone: ( ) Mobile: ( ) E-mail:

16. Emergency Contact Information in the U.S. (if applicable): Please indicate an individual who could be contacted in case of an emergency.

Name: Relationship to You:

Street: Apartment: PO Box (if applicable):

City, Province/State: Zip/Postal Code:

Home Phone: ( ) Mobile: ( ) E-mail:

Information about Current School 17. Your Job Title: Number of Years in Current Position:

Are you a full time teacher in your current school: Yes No

18. Current School Name in English:

Current School Name in Chinese:

Street: PO Box (if applicable):

City: Province: Zip/ Postal Code:

School Address in Chinese:

School Phone: ( ) School Fax: ( )

School Website: Your Work E-mail:

School Principal/Dean/Headmaster Name and Job Title:

Your Supervisor’s Name (if different from above) and Job Title:

19. School Demographic Information:

Total Number of Teachers: Total Number of Students:

Type of School: Public Private Religious Specialized

International Other:

Population of City where School is Located:

Location of School: Urban Rural Suburban


Level of School: Primary Preparatory Secondary Primary/Preparatory Combined

Preparatory/Secondary Combined All Grades Combined Primary through Secondary

Grade Levels Taught at your School(s):

20. In your own words, please describe the school where you currently teach. Please provide information about student demographics, teaching methods used, what resources are available, and any other special features or programs of your school (if any). What do you think about your school, what are its strengths and what needs improvement? (Please do not copy and paste school website pages or pamphlets for this section.)

Current Teaching and Professional Responsibilities21. Primary Workplace: Please indicate your teaching load in your current school.

Please provide the requested details about your current teaching responsibilities.

Subjects: be specific and provide details (e.g. English Grammar and Literature for 2nd

Year Secondary Students).

Hours per Week

Length of a Class (e.g. 45 min.)

Students’ Grade Levels and Ages

Number of Students (per class)

Grade Age

Please describe additional school activities

Be specific and provide details (e.g. supervision of teachers, curriculum development, extra-curricular activities such as clubs, volunteer activities etc.).

Hours per Week

Students’ Grade Levels and Ages


Grade Age

How many hours per week do you spend preparing lessons?

22. Secondary Workplace: If you teach in any other school/institution or engage in private tutoring please provide the information below. Please include how many hours you teach in your secondary workplace.


Employment and Education History

23. Employment History: Please list any full-time employment positions you have held in the past 10 years, beginning with the most recent.

Dates Position Title Institution Name

Institution Location

Grades Taught (e.g. 8-12)

Students Age Range (e.g. 14-18)


To From

24. Teaching Honors and Professional Memberships: Please list the teaching scholarships, academic awards, honors, or prizes that you have received and/or publications you have authored. Whenever possible, please include copies in your application package. Limit the number of attachments to three.

Date Awards, Scholarships, Honors, Prizes, Etc.

25: Leadership History: Please list any formal leadership position (e.g. Head teachers) that you have held, including the responsibilities and dates.

DatesLeadership Title Responsibilities

From To

26. Education History: Please list all educational institutions you have attended after high school beginning with the most recent school attended.

Institution Name Institution Location

Dates Attended Title of Degree (e.g. Bachelors, Masters, etc.)

Date Received or Expected

Major Subjects/Field of Study

From To


With your application package, please include certified copies of your transcripts from the institutions listed above. **Please note that, if selected, you must bring original copies of your transcripts and teaching certifications. Limit the number of attachments to three.

27. Knowledge of Languages: Please write your native language first then describe other languages you speak using Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor criteria.

Language Reading Writing Speaking Listening

Please rate yourself in Standard Mandarin

With your application package, please include a certified copy of your test results if you have taken any proficiency exams in Standard Mandarin.

27. English Language Proficiency: if you have taken any standardized English language proficiency tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, or others, please state the results and include copies in your application package.

Test Taken Date Taken Results

29. Lesson Planning: Please explain how you would conduct an engaging lesson for a class of twenty 15-year old students who are in their first year of learning Mandarin Chinese in the U.S. The lesson you design should be 45 minutes long, and you must teach the Chinese vocabulary about sports to students without teaching them any alphabet or Chinese characters. Please include a description of all the activities you would conduct and include ways to assess the class’ progress. (minimum 500 words)

30. Teaching Mandarin Chinese: Please describe any previous educational or teaching experience that you feel will contribute to your success during this program in teaching Mandarin to the U.S. students. Please include information about how you will adapt your teaching to engage U.S. students in speaking and learning Chinese. (minimum 300 words),


31. Hobbies and Outside School Activities: Please describe activities, sports, projects, hobbies, and events including those that are non-school related that you enjoy leading or participating in.

32. Teaching in the U.S.: Please check all levels of education that you would be willing to teach if selected to participate in TCLP. In general, many U.S. students are beginning learners, regardless of age or educational level. Your answer will not affect your eligibility but, rather, will assists program coordinators with placement of the selected teachers in U.S. host schools.

Primary or Elementary School / Kindergarten – Grade 5 (5-11 years old).

Preparatory, Middle or Junior High School / Grades 6-8 (11-14 years old).

Secondary or High School / Grades 9-12 (14-18 years old).

Please explain your choice below:

33. International Travel History: Indicate the locations, dates, and reasons for traveling to or living in any country other than your own.

Program Name Sponsor (if applicable) Purpose Countries

VisitedProgram DatesFrom To

34. Previous participation in U.S. Government-sponsored exchanges: Have you previously traveled on a U.S. Government-sponsored exchange program? (Examples: Fulbright, Fulbright-Hayes, ILEP, TEA programs.) **Please note that if you have participated in exchange programs 5 or more years ago, your participation will not influence the committee’s evaluation of your application for this program.


Yes (please fill out the table below) No

Program Name Program Place in the U.S. Sponsor Purpose

Program DatesCompleted Successfully?

From To Yes No

If you did not successfully complete a program listed above, please explain below:

35. Other Applications: Are you currently applying to any other U.S. Government-sponsored educational exchange programs for the 2015-2016 school year? ** Please note that applying for another program does not make you ineligible.

Yes No If yes, please specify which program:

Name of sponsoring organization:

36. Past TCLP applications: have you applied to TCLP before? ** Please note that applying to TCLP in the past does not make you ineligible.

Yes No If yes, please specify which year(s):

Have you been interviewed for TCLP before?

Yes No If yes, please specify which year(s):

If you have applied to TCLP before, what has changed in your career that makes you a more successful candidate for this year’s program?

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

37. Program Alumni Connections: Do you have any friends or colleagues who are alumni of the TCLP program?

Yes (please write name(s) below) No

38. Do you currently drive in China? Yes No

39. Would you be willing to drive in the U.S.? (Instructions would likely be available as needed)


Yes No Undecided

40. Logistics: Given the option, which living options would you feel most comfortable in (check any that you would be open to, knowing that your selection may not be able to be accommodated)

Renting an apartment/house by myself Renting an apartment/house with roommates Homestay

41. Essays: The essays are a substantial component of the application. Your responses give the selection committee an opportunity to understand you better as a person and to appreciate the value of your ideas, goals, and reasons for applying to the program. This section of the application is the only opportunity that you have in this stage of the competition to provide a description of yourself that goes deeper than a simple list highlighting your experience, education, and accomplishments. Thus, we urge you to think carefully through your response before beginning to write. TCLP takes plagiarism very seriously and responses copied/plagiarized from the Internet or from publications (books, articles etc.) will make your application disqualified. In at least 1,500 words, I. Please describe how your students in both the U.S. and in China will benefit from your exchange experience with

TCLP at the following times: a) during the exchange while teaching in a U.S. school, b) after the exchange.

II. Imagine that you are placed at a U.S. high school that is establishing an Chinese program for the first time. The school does not have an Chinese curriculum or any approved textbooks and is asking you to develop the curriculum. Please describe how you will plan to teach Chinese at this school, and in your answer include: a) the topics you will teach for the first half year, if you have classes every day of the week,b) how you will sequence your teaching activities for the aforementioned topics


Application Certification Statement

I certify that I completed this application myself, without any aid or assistance, that the information given in this application is complete and accurate, and that I have carefully read and understood all notes and disclaimers provided therein. I further certify that I have notified the program authorities in my country and in the U.S. of any misdemeanor (except minor traffic violations) or felony convictions or pending indictments.

I understand that American Councils reserves the right to verify all the information listed in the application. I understand that giving false or misleading information in the application will result in exclusion from competition or immediate dismissal from the Teachers of Critical Languages Program.

Also, I acknowledge that I am aware of the following requirements that I must observe if I am selected for the program:

I have not participated in a U.S. Government-funded program in the past 5 years. I am a Chinese citizen and have a firm understanding of Mandarin Chinese, the subject that I will teach in the U.S. I currently teach at the primary/preparatory and/or secondary level in China. I understand that in the U.S., I will be teaching Chinese to primary/preparatory and/or secondary school students. My spouse, children, and other relatives or individuals are not permitted to accompany me to the U.S. on the program.

Signature of Applicant: Date:


Teachers of Critical Languages Program RECOMMENDATION FORM

Due Date: January 8, 2015This recommendation form must be written by someone who is in a supervisory position and is familiar with the applicant’s academic and professional work. The teacher named below is applying for the Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP), an international educational exchange program for teachers from China to teach Chinese in a U.S. school for one academic year. This program seeks to strengthen the teaching of Chinese in U.S. schools while also providing Chinese teachers with the opportunity to learn more about U.S. education, culture, and society. Please provide your candid opinion of the candidate and his/her suitability for participating in such a program.

To be completed by the applicant

Name of Applicant:

Name of Recommender:

Recommender’s Position/Title:

Recommender’s Work Institution:

Recommender’s Work telephone: Email:

To be completed by the recommender

1. How long and in what capacity have you known the candidate professionally?

2. Are you the applicant’s immediate supervisor? Yes No.

3. Have you observed the candidate teaching in a classroom setting? Yes No.In the chart below, please rate the candidate in comparison with other teachers whom you know and/or supervise.

Below Average Average Good Outstanding

Top 5% of Teachers I Have Observed

I have not observed this

Professional Qualifications

Intellectual capacity

Knowledge of English

Knowledge of language learning methods

Ability to use technology for teaching

purposes

Ability to engage diverse groups of students

Ability to work with colleagues, including

those with different views

Work habits

Personal Traits

Leadership qualities

Adaptability / flexibility

Resourcefulness

Self-reliance

Initiative

Organization

Creativity


Productivity

Professionalism

Sense of humor

4. Please choose one of the following:

I recommend with confidence I recommend with reservation I do not recommend.

Please type responses to the following questions below (250 word maximum per question). Your statement will be given considerable attention by the selection committee that reviews this application: it should be as complete and detailed as possible, and should include specific examples.

a) Please comment on the candidate’s teaching skills, professional competence, relationships with students and colleagues, adaptability to new situations, and potential to teach Chinese to non-native speakers.

b) Please comment on any perceived limitations the candidate may have.c) How would your school benefit if this teacher participated in the Teachers of Critical Languages Program? How might

the applicant use knowledge or professional development gained on program when she/he returns home?

Signature of Recommender: Date:

If applicable, the translator confirms that this is an accurate translation that is faithful and true to the original.

Translator’s Name (if any):

Translator’s Signature: Date:

Application packages, including the professional recommendation, should be submitted by the deadline date via email to [email protected] and must CC [email protected].

Recommendation Forms not submitted online will not be accepted.




teachers of critical languages program 2015 china ap… · web viewrecommendation forms not...

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