The Office of English Language Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/A/L) announces an open competition for the Access Teacher Development Online Program (ATDOP), including online distance education, a U. S. exchange component in summer 2012 and a follow-on program for exchange

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participants.

The award level for this cooperative agreement will be up to $900,00 0. The purpose of this program is to increase the oral and aural proficiency of English as a foreign language teachers while developing their speaking and listening teaching methods.

U. S. public and private universities with graduate TESOL or Applied Linguistics programs meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to implement the program that will include the following:
1. a teacher needs analysis survey and English language proficiency assessment plan to be administered at the beginning and end of the online program; 2. a multi-platform online distance education program developed in collaboration with selected English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) providers and designed to improve the oral/aural English Language proficiency and teaching methodologies of 250-350 Access and potential Access teachers working with 14-18 year olds; 3. a four-week, U. S. exchange program for 26 of the top performing participants from the online courses; 4. a five-week online follow-up course designed to assist the 26 teachers in developing and implementing professional development seminars for English teachers in their respective countries; 5. the creation of an on-going online community via a Ning site where Access teachers and in-country providers can continue to communicate and collaborate.

Access provides a foundation of English language skills to bright, economically disadvantaged 14- to 18-year-olds through two-year programs of after-school classes and intensive summer learning activities.

Access students also gain an appreciation for U. S. culture and democratic values through cultural enhancement activities.

Since its inception in 2004, over 70,000 students in more than 85 countries have participated in the Access Program.

More detailed information about each of the five components of this cooperative agreement are detailed below and in the Program Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI).

Applicant organizations should demonstrate a significant track record of conducting substantive academic programs for EFL educators with a particular emphasis on the innovative use of internet media and mobile-based technologies in the development and implementation of training programs, conducting needs assessments internationally with foreign partners, developing English language teaching curriculum for English learners with diverse levels of English language proficiency and managing the U. S. and foreign logistical and administrative aspects of similar programs.

The participants in the online course will be selected by Access providers and Regional English Language Officers (RELOs) and will be approved by ECA/A/L.

Participants will be:
citizens of one of 6-8 ECA selected strategic countries in which they reside; university degree holders; employed as English teachers and have been working with disadvantaged 14-18 year old students for at least two but not more than approximately seven years; have no significant previous US travel experience; employed by one of the selected Access host institutions teaching Access or other secondary school level classes; and able to have regular and easy access to a computer with reliable broadband internet.