English Language Programs
English Language Development Programs and Resources offered by the Public Affairs Section
The purpose of U.S. Embassy—sponsored English programs in Afghanistan is to make the study of English more accessible to students and teachers. With support from the State Department’s Office of English Language Programs, the U.S. Mission in Afghanistan supports a host of programs across the country.
The U.S. Embassy has an English Language Office and staff which works with Afghan and international partners to implement capacity building projects and grants that develop English teaching at Afghan universities and teacher training colleges in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Education. The ELO provides additional support for the English Language Teaching Association for Afghans to organize and participate in teacher training conferences and workshops, to conducts needs analyses and offers professional guidance, where needed to government officials in matters of national higher education policy for English teaching in Afghanistan.
Support for English teaching projects in Afghanistan is supported by the New Delhi-based Regional English Language Officer.
Other of our programs include:
English Access Microscholarship Program
The English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) provides a foundation of English language skills to non-elite, 14 - 18 year old students through afterschool classes and intensive summer learning activities. Access students gain an appreciation for American culture and democratic values, increase their ability to participate successfully in the socio-economic development of their countries, and gain the ability to compete for and participate in future U.S. exchange and study programs.
Since its inception in 2004, over 70,000 students in more than 85 countries have participated in the Access Program. The Access program in Afghanistan has grown to include with over 3,000 students in 16 locations.
English Language Fellows
English Language Fellows are U.S. educators in the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) who participate in 10-month-long fellowships at academic institutions throughout the world. Examples of EL Fellow projects include: Classroom Teaching, Teacher Training, In-Service and Pre-Service Training, Curriculum Development, Workshop and Seminar Design, Program Evaluation, Needs Assessment, Testing, and English for Specific Purposes (ESP). Senior English Language Fellows are currently supporting the English Departments in Faculties of Languages and Literature and Faculties of Education at Balkh University, Herat University, Kabul Education University and Kabul University.
English Language Specialists
Similar to Fellows, English Language Specialists are U.S. academics and professionals in the fields of TESOL. They serve deliver training workshops that last between two weeks to four months. Typical assignments may include teacher training, curriculum and textbook development or host institution program evaluation. In some cases, digital video conferences or webinars are used to deliver trainings or consultations.
Afghanistan has had several EL Specialists conduct short-term training in for students from six Kabul-based and provincial universities.
E-Teacher Scholarship Program
The E-Teacher Scholarship Program offers English teaching professionals in Afghanistan and other countries outside the U.S. the opportunity to take seven innovative, online, graduate level classes through the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and the University of Oregon. The courses explore major areas of the academic specialty of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).
E-teacher courses
- Building Teaching Skills through the Web
- Critical Thinking in the EFL Curriculum
- English for Specific Purposes (ESP) Best Practices
- English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Assessment
- Methods Course I: Survey of Best Practices in TESOL
- Methods Course II: Developing EFL Literacy through Project-Based Learning
- Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL)