DUSHANBE, June 6, 2016, Asia-Plus — U.S. Embassy Dushanbe announces a call for proposals for the 2016-2018 English Access Microscholarship Program.
The purpose of this program is reportedly to provide disadvantaged youth with an opportunity to learn English language skills and enhance leadership through teaching the basics of American culture and values of democratic development and civic engagement.
According to the U.S. Embassy, the program targets the 9th grade secondary school students to start the program from underprivileged families. English Access Microscholarship programs must provide two years of English study, consisting of at least 180 hours of instruction per year. The program should consist of English language courses as well as out-of-classroom activities and enhancement elements.
Examples of enhancement elements, related to English language and American culture, include but are not limited to activities such as drama, computers, dance, art, music, games, sports, local trips, special cultural projects such as the Fourth of July, and/or developing leadership skills, building the spirit of team work, social responsibility, and tolerance events.
English Access Microscholarship Program intensive summer sessions are an important activity to supplement and/or conclude a student”s two-year English language programming. The sessions should be a minimum of one week long and may incorporate into their activities native and non-native English speaking partners in a summer camp format.
Proposals should include both a narrative project description and a detailed budget breakdown in Microsoft Excel format.
The budget (in Excel format) should have a detailed breakdown of costs for the two-year program including instruction, books/materials, students’ transportation and snacks, project administration, enhancement activities, etc. On average, costs associated with one student in the framework of the two-year program are approximately $1,100. Each project should include 20-25 students. Projects that involve higher numbers of students with lower costs are encouraged. Students should be in the 9th grade when they start the program.
To be eligible for consideration, every applicant must be currently engaged in English language teaching program. Both governmental and non-governmental organizations are eligible to apply for this program. Service providers from remote areas of Tajikistan are encouraged to apply.
Proposals must be written in English. Both narrative project and budget breakdown should be written electronically and to be submitted no later than July 1, 2016.
