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Are you an English teacher looking for professional development opportunities?

The Regional English Language Office at the U.S. Embassy, Islamabad, in collaboration with Evolution and Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA), University of Minnesota, is pleased to offer Transitioning to Teaching Language Online (TTLO). The fully-funded online course will focus on many different facets of a successful online language program, such as creating community, experiencing being an online learner, time management strategies for teachers and students, choosing appropriate technology tools for communicative-based activities, and developing a variety of online activity types. In addition to exploring these aspects of teaching online, participants will see these concepts in action in model online language activities. By the end of the program, participants will have a portfolio of activities ready to be incorporated in an online program.

When do the classes start?

January 6, 2020 – April 20, 2020

Who can apply?

Candidates must:

• Be an experienced English language teacher (at least three years of experience) that currently teaches, or intends to teach, English language courses using online practices.
• Have strong English language reading and writing skills 
• Be a citizen of Pakistan.
• Be living in Pakistan for the entire duration of the TTLO course.
• Have regular and reliable access to a high-speed internet connection.
• Be able to spend 8 to 10 hours online each week for the duration of the course.

Through the course you will:

• Experience being an online learner.
• Discover the differences between teaching in the classroom and teaching online.
• Apply guidelines, best practices, and readiness quizzes to prepare yourself and your students for working in an online environment.
• Participate in model language activities to see activities and tools in action.
• Evaluate your current syllabus to see how it can be adapted for online delivery.
• Test, create, and evaluate online tools and activities within the framework of the 3 communication modes.

This course was developed at the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA), University of Minnesota with funding from STARTALK.

Program Schedule

TTLO course format and technology requirements

This course is delivered entirely online through an online course management system.  You should expect to spend approximately 8-10 hours weekly on this course.

You will need an internet connection with a good, reliable connection in order to watch and create videos online. You will need a headset with microphone (or at least ear buds) and a webcam for your computer/laptop in order to participate fully in the course. All of the applications usedonline will be free or demonstration sites to try out activities.

To apply, please fill in the online application and submit no later than 5 p.m. (Pakistan Standard Time) on November 20, 2019. 

The online application can be found here: “Online Application” 

If you have difficulty accessing the hyperlink mentioned above for the online application, please visit https://forms.gle/Ze3Lc5i3Jwyr18SS8. 

Questions? Contact us: ttlo@evolution.com.pk or +92 300 2008575

Q: Do I have to pay for the online course?

A: No! These courses are funded by the Regional English Language Office at the U.S. Embassy Islamabad.

Q: Where will the classes be conducted?

A: The courses will be taught online. You must have access 4-5 times per week minimum to a reliable computer with high-speed internet.

Q: Will I have to spend specific hours per week to complete the online course?

 A: You are expected to spend a minimum of 8-10 hours each week on coursework.

 Q: Do I have to possess a Master’s degree to be eligible for the course?

 A: No! The minimum requirement is to be a practicing English language teacher and have high intermediate to advanced level English language proficiency in all skill areas, particularly reading and writing.

Q: Will I obtain a certificate after successfully completing the course?

A: Yes! Participants successfully completing the course will be awarded certificates. If you dropout from the course, you will become ineligible to apply for any further opportunity offered by RELO-Pakistan. 

Program Introduction

The Regional English Language Office (RELO) of the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy, Islamabad and Evolution are pleased to introduce a new webinar series for in-service English Language Teachers: Collaborating Across Classrooms: Connect – Reflect – Share, a collection of webinar series providing synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities to English language Teachers, strengthening collaborative regional relationships and increasing mutual understanding between the people of United States and the people of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.  This cross-border virtual exchange program aims to promote regional interaction and collaborative learning to help resolve issues that educators face in the region.

The program offers three different webinar series themes. Each applicant can attend only one most preferred series. Each series comprises of one series overview recording and four live webinars (more details below).  The target audience is in-service English language teachers of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. American Specialists with expertise in the English language teaching field will be the webinar facilitators. Each series is limited to 45 participants total.

Series Available

Series 1: “Proven TEFL Classroom Management Practices”

The two-month webinar series explores TEFL classroom management practices and what does classroom management really mean to teachers? In this series of webinars, presenters identify the differences between management and discipline, discuss management of large and small classes and offer a number of foolproof strategies and techniques that not only effectively manage classes but also positively impact learning in the English language class. Participants will have opportunities to personally practice and analyze how these strategies and techniques are ultimately adaptable to their teaching context. Here is the timeline:

• January 9:           Series Intro/Open (recording) Management or Discipline: What’s the Difference?
• January 16:         LIVE Session: Simple Signals that Work and Why
• January 30:        LIVE Session: Motivate Your Students with Rules, Routines and Rewards
• February 13:       LIVE Session: Winning Comprehension Checks: Best Ways to Check for Student Understanding
• February 27:       LIVE Session: “Teacher, What Should We Do Now?”: Managing Groups
• March 6:              All tasks due
• March 13:            Certificates awarded

Series 2: Top Tips for 21st Century Critical Literacy

Teaching our students not only how to think critically but also how to engage in critically reading, listening, writing and speaking in English has become a requirement in 21st Century classrooms and for students to successfully compete in the world of work. How do teachers include instruction in critical literacy skills in an already packed curriculum without having to eliminate other important content? In this series of workshops presenters explain how teachers can do this by embedding critical literacy skills into existing course book activities and materials. Workshop participants will also be given time to practice integrating some of the top 10 tips of critical literacy provided in the workshops into a lesson they have already taught. Here is the timeline:

• March 6:              Series Intro/Open (recording) Basics of Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why We Need It
• March 13:            LIVE Webinar: Teaching Teens Critical Digital Literacy
• March 27             LIVE Webinar: Tools for Maneuvering in Society
• April 10:                LIVE Webinar: Empowering Student Voices
• April 24:                Live Webinar:  Identifying Opportunities for Teaching Critical Thinking with your Course Textbook
• May 1:                  All tasks due
• May 15:                Certificates awarded

Series 3: Materials to Enrich Your TEFL Lessons

In this series of workshops participants explore practical time and energy saving techniques for recycling old, adapting current and utilizing new materials that motivate learners and aid teachers in departing from the course book. Involving students in generating materials and repurposing everyday objects enhances learning and resources ranging from high to low tech are highlighted. Individualized, pair, small and whole group work will be used throughout these workshops to maximize sharing participant ideas and practices as they relate to materials development and creative use. Participants will have opportunities to personally practice and analyze how these strategies and techniques are ultimately adaptable to their teaching context. Here is the timeline:

• May 8:          Series Intro/Open (recording) Personalize Your Course Textbook: Get Students Off the
• Page!
• May 15:         LIVE Webinar: Student Generated Materials: Motivation at Their Finger Tips
• May 29:        LIVE Webinar: Creative Ways to Recycle and Repurpose Classroom Materials
• June 12:        LIVE Webinar: Use Imagination! You are Your Own Best Resource
• June 26:       LIVE Webinar: Online Resources for TEFL Materials
• July 3:           All tasks due
• July 10:          Certificates awarded

Eligibility Criteria 

Candidates should be highly motivated, in-service EFL teachers in primary or secondary school or teacher trainers who are looking for some ideas to share with other.  Educators should be dedicated to their own professional development and are willing to share the learned knowledge with their colleagues. The candidates should:

• Be currently working in the field of English language teaching
• Have strong English language reading, writing and listening skills (equivalent to minimum 525 TOEFL, 70 iBT, or CEFR B2)
• Be a citizen of Afghanistan, Pakistan, or India
• Have reliable access to high-speed internet connection
• Be able to attend a 60-minute Live Webinar as noted on the schedule for the selected Series at 19:30 Afghanistan time; 20:00 Pakistan time; and 20:30 India time
• Be able to spend 2-3 hours weekly to complete the weekly tasks.
  • Weekly Task 1: Complete the pre-reading, join the live webinars, and engage on the closed facebook page.
  • Weekly Task 2: Try out a new activity in the classroom and report back on it using the template provided
• Have the ability to type in English well enough to perform tasks in time allotted and submit written assignments in a timely manner.
• Have basic technology skills related to email, internet searches and downloads/uploads, logins/passwords, and e-file use (e.g., pdf, MS Word, Excel).
• Have the capacity to fulfill technical requirements for attending live webinars on ‘Adobe Connect’ mentioned below.

Technical Requirements for Attending Live Webinars

All our live webinars will be on a web-conferencing software named ‘Adobe Connect’. It is essential for you to ensure your system configuration as per the required technical capabilities needed to attend a live Webinar.

The following information will help you assess your computer configuration:

• A computer with access to the fast-speed internet
• A functioning sound card
• A set of speakers or headphones
• Adobe Connect can run on any web browser however, it works best with:
  • Windows: Google Chrome (recommended web browser), Internet Explorer
  • Mac: Safari
• Adobe Flash Player 13.0.0.0 or above installed as your web browser plug-in

Applications are welcomed from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.

How to apply?

Link to Online Application       E-Application

Submit the online application by no later than 5 p.m. PST on Friday, December 15, 2017.

Note: Incomplete applications and/or late submissions will not be entertained.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Will I receive a certificate of completion?

Yes! You will receive an e-certificate, after completing the full series and submitting the given homework as directed.   Please note that certificate will be given only if tasks are completed and submitted timely.

• Do I have to pay for the live webinars?

No! The program is funded by the RELO Office at the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Islamabad. Hence, is free of cost.

• How many slots are available?

45 seats are available in total. 15 seats from each country i.e. Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.

• Will I have to spend specific hours per week to attend the webinars?

Yes! The live webinars will be conducted every other Tuesday (four live webinars total) with tasks interspersed over six weeks.  19:30 Afghanistan time; 20:00 Pakistan time; and 20:30 India time

• What if I miss a live webinar? Can I make it up?

There will be recordings available of each webinar and these will be made available to selected participants as a back up should you not be able to attend live webinar.

Presenters’ Information

All webinar series will be conducted by the following American Specialists:

Lisa Morgan is a TESOL consultant and retired Regional English Language Officer (RELO) for the U.S. State Department, where she was assigned to U.S. Embassies in Iraq, Egypt, and Chile. Before becoming a RELO, Lisa was a teacher educator and directed a university TESOL program in Michigan. Lisa was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Belarus (2007) and has carried out sixteen assignments with the U.S. State Department’s English Language Specialist program. She has taught English at U.S university and community college levels, and at adult and intensive language programs. Lisa is a former U.S. Peace Corps volunteer to Albania and spent three years in the U.S. State Department’s English Language Fellows program. She has a BA degree in English, a MA-TESOL and Ph.D. in Curriculum, Teaching and Educational Policy.

Sara Denne-Bolton is a freelance teacher trainer and retired Regional English Language Officer (RELO) for the U.S. Department of State. As a RELO, she worked with U.S. Embassies in Southern Africa, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.  She was a U.S. Department of State English Language Fellow to Rwanda and Croatia, and English Language Specialist to Austria, the Comoros Islands, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Madagascar, Togo and Vietnam. She coordinated training courses for English language teachers and trainers in Myanmar. In the U.S., she taught English for Academic Purposes to Afghan teachers for the University of Massachusetts, supervised corporate English language programs for World Learning, taught English in Seattle area refugee agencies and community colleges and trained teachers at Seattle universities. She has an MA in Adult Education and Intercultural Communication from Antioch, Seattle, an ESL Teaching Certificate from Edmonds Community College, and her BA degree is from Trinity College, Dublin.

More Questions?
Contact us on eteacher@evolution.com.pk or 0300-2008575.

All Pakistan Access Institute (APAI) 2014 was held in Islamabad for fifty Access students from fourteen different cities of Pakistan in collaboration with the US Embassy, Islamabad. The core aim of the program was to empower the participants with knowledge, skills and tools to further help them enhance their personal and professional prospects. The intensive, in-house institute engaged the Access students in a wide range of activities that helped them acquire experience and skills to become ‘change agents’ in their communities and Access centers.

All Pakistan Access Institute (APAI) 2014 served as a melting pot for students from different cultures, backgrounds and lifestyles. Cultural Evening held on January 31, 2014 provided an opportunity to the participants of APAI to exhibit their unique culture and traditions in form of different performances. All the students dressed up in their tradition clothing enabled the others to learn more about diversity in Pakistan.

With an aim to support the professional development of English language teachers from Pakistan and to facilitate Track Two Pak-India collaborative projects, five participants were selected to take part in the 20^th NELTA annual conference in Kathmandu, Nepal from February 17-19, 2015.

Evolution managed the administration and logistics of activities including travel arrangements, accommodation, visa procedures and training of participants before departure.

Evolution provided facilitation to the five selected Pakistani participants from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Kohat and Abbottabad to participate and co-present with their Indian counterpart in the 20^th NELTA Annual Conference, 2015.

The program was supported by the U.S. Embassy Islamabad.

Evolution implemented English Language Education Administration Leadership Academy in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy Islamabad. The Academy enabled 24 English Language Administrators and teachers to attend a two-day TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) Academy in Galloway, New Jersey, USA on 19-20 June 2015, followed by ELT Leadership Management Certificate Program in Alexandria, Virginia, USA on 22-23 June 2015.

An inclusive pre-departure orientation (PDO) was held in Islamabad on June 16 and 17, 2015 for the participants from across Pakistan to enable them get fully equipped with knowledge, skills and resources to participate actively in the exchange program. Furthermore, a re-entry seminar was held on their return to Pakistan to introduce them to Pak-US Alumni Network (PUAN).

The program was supported by the U.S. Embassy

English Language Online Course explicitly aimed at enhancing skills, approaches and techniques of English language teachers (ELTs) of Pakistan and India. The program design consisted of two main phases:

One, participation of fifteen Pakistani and fifteen Indian ELTs in a ten-week online course named ‘Critical Thinking in Language Learning and Teaching’ offered by University of Oregon, USA.

Two, presentation of five Pakistani ELTs (out of the fifteen enrolled in the online course) at the Annual Conference of Nepal English Language Teachers’ Association (NELTA) held in Kathmandu, Nepal on March 7-9, 2016.

The program was supported by the U.S. Embassy Islamabad.

Karachi English Teacher Training (KETT) program involved training of 85 teachers from different regions of Pakistan. The break down was 34 public sector secondary English language teachers form Sindh and 50 alumni of U.S. Government programs from across Pakistan. KETT was a two-week residential training program where the trainees were put through a wide range of sessions based on English language teaching, computer literacy and soft skills. The training team comprised two American trainers supported by four local professionals. Later, some of the trained teachers presented at the 31^st International SPELT Conference held in November in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

The program was supported by the U.S. Consulate, Karachi.

Pakistan Access Leadership Institute 2015 enabled sixty-six Access students from fourteen different cities of Pakistan to attend an intensive two-week residential training program in Islamabad from December 21, 2015 to January 1, 2016. The core aim of the two-week residential program was to provide the participants with an opportunity to get engaged in a variety of personal development, English language learning and computer literacy activities.
The program was supported by the U.S. Embassy Islamabad.