Last Chance to Host a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant

On behalf of the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), the Institute of International Education (IIE) is pleased to announce that the 2014-15 Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program host institution application is available for interested colleges and universities. Institutions that have not already done so are encouraged to consider becoming a new host site, renew Fulbright FLTA participation, or expand Fulbright participation by hosting Fulbright FLTA fellows.

The deadline for applications to become a host institution is February 15, 2014. If institutions are unable to submit an application by this date, representatives can contact mfrith@iie.org. Depending upon the language of interest, a deadline extension may be possible.

By hosting an FLTA, host institutions will further the goal of increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. At the same time, an FLTA will enhance and compliment the teaching of foreign languages on U.S. campuses. FLTAs add a youthful, up-to-date cultural component to foreign language classes as well as to student life in general. The availability of having an FLTA to host language tables, cooking sessions, and other co-curricular events offers U.S. students the possibility of working with a young native speaker in non-traditional settings. This interaction makes the studying and learning of the language much more meaningful and real.

Schools wishing to host a Fulbright FLTA are free to tailor the program to meet their unique needs. FLTAs often teach beginning and intermediate classes or offer tutorial sessions to improve students’ language acquisition. On many campuses they serve as directors of language houses or language floors, offering students uncommon access to the target languages.