Please begin by completing this table:

Given Name / Family Name / Name in Chinese / School Name / School City / School Province / Recommender Name

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

Program Overview

The 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 Affairsof the U.S. Department of State

The 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 Education

American 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: January8, 2015
  • Notification of program semi-finalists: March2015
  • 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 Provisions

TCLP 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-daywelcome 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 Process

The 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 Form

All 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 and must CC .

For additional information, please contact:

Wang Hui

American Councils for International Education

Phone: +86 13911795941

Email:

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; and

You 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; and

In 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:

AnExchange 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; and

The 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 Hui

American Councils for International Education

Phone: +86 13911795941

Email:

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 OfficeHanban 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 Information

14. Current Home Address:

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

City, Province/State: Zip/ Postal Code:

Home Phone: () Mobile: () Fax: ()

Your E-mail:

15. Emergency Contact Information in China: Please indicatean 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 indicatean 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 CurrentSchool

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

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

18. CurrentSchoolName 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 Responsibilities

21. 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 / Number of Students (per class)
Grade / Age
How many hours per week do you spend preparing lessons?

22. Secondary Workplace:If you teachin 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) / StudentsAgeRange
(e.g. 14-18) / Number of Students (per class)
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.

Dates / Leadership 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 includecertified 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 includea 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 sportsto 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: Pleasedescribe any previous educational or teaching experiencethat you feel will contribute to your success during this program in teaching Mandarin to the U.S. students. Please include information abouthow you will adapt your teaching to engage U.S. students in speaking and learning Chinese. (minimum 300 words),

31. Hobbies and OutsideSchool 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.