TEACHING REFERENCE STEPS
& Answer Preparation Worksheet
Two Forms for a Teaching Recommendation
Both Online Only: Sign Cover Electronically
Updated 2.5.13
The five long-answer questions you will be asked are below in bold.
1. Candidate asks if you will write a recommendation for her.
2. You reply Yes (The Pledge) or No.
3. Candidate sends you her application for you to consult when writing your recommendation.
Deadlines vary but you should be in receipt latest by September 15.
4. Prepare your answers off-line to the questions in the second online form.
USE the Worksheet below in this Word.doc under
SPACES FOR ANSWERS (scroll down).
5. Find in your In Box an email from "U.S. Student Fulbright"
with codes to log onto their online Reference system.
Save this email until November 1.
6. Log on to the Embark Reference system by following each of their instructions to the tee.
7. Complete the online “cover-sheet” form, including electronic dated signature.
8. Paste in your prepared answers in the second online form question boxes.
9. Click on PREVIEW (top right) to check fit and adjust formatting if needed.
10. Pass Embark Inspection.
11. From PREVIEW, download your PDF reference onto your H Drive or Desktopand SAVE
for use before Nov 1.
12. Submit your online reference electronically once definitely finalized.
13. Rolling deadlines through September.
14. Full detailed instructions including all quirks and twists in the Word doc via
15. Online troubleshooting: Embark Application SupportFAQs
Or contact the Embark technical staff at
SPACES FOR ANSWERS
Composeyour single-spaced answers to the Reference Form questions within the space restrictions below.
Then patch (copy-and-paste) your answers into the online answer boxes.
Your entire answer will appear only in the top line and can be read only by moving the line.
Better therefore to read it in Preview after Saving.
To edit, you may want to do this off-line again rather than attempting to edit online unless the edits are minor.
Always re-confirm fit and formatting via Preview after Saving.
Character counts below are with (including) spaces = Cws.
Highlight answers and use Tools, Word Count to see your Character (with spaces) count.
Beware that the online entry space takes three more input characters per line, if you try typing answers in, than actually allowed – as the Preview will show.
The counts below should be correct at least within a few characters for off-line composing.
PAGE ONE
In what context and for how long you have known the candidate?
750 Cws or 10 lines of 75 characters per line.
Prepare your answer here beginning on the next line:
PAGE TWO
Question 1
Based on your observation of or experience with the candidate, comment on his/her ability to express themselves competently and clearly in English, orally and in writing.
If relevant, comment on specific situations where you have observed the candidate’s communication skills (e.g., classroom presentations, coursework, co-curricular activities, etc.)
750 Cws or 10 lines of 75 characters per line.
Prepare your answer here beginning on the next line:
Question 2
While formal training in teaching is generally not required, successful ETA grantees have exhibited a strong interest in teaching and learning through their classroom behavior and/or in extracurricular activities, jobs or volunteer work, and/or community service projects.
In your view, how has this candidate demonstrated qualities associated with teaching or mentoring.
450 Cws or 6 lines of 75 characters per line.
Prepare your answer here beginning on the next line:
Question 3
Keeping in mind that an ETA’s specific job description at the placement abroad may not be clearly defined, describe the candidate’s abilities relative to working in unstructured situations.
Feel free to give a specific example.
450 Cws or 6 lines of 75 characters per line.
Prepare your answer here beginning on the next line:
Question 4
Comment on how the candidate might interact with students, faculty and, community leaders, among others, in an unfamiliar situation or different cultural environment.
Feel free to describe a situation where you have observed the candidate in these circumstances. What kind of impression, in your view, would the candidate make abroad as a representative of the United States?
450 Cws or 6 lines of 75 characters per line.
Prepare your answer here beginning on the next line:
Question 5
Please comment on any other factors which you believe may have a bearing on the candidate's experience overseas or potential as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant.
600 Cws or 8 lines of 75 characters per line.
Prepare your answer here beginning on the next line: