About - Program Design

The Role of ECA and IIE

The Fulbright FLTA Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The Institute of International Education (IIE) is the administrative agency for the Fulbright FLTA Program. As the administrative agency, IIE:

• Upholds the rules and regulations established for the Fulbright FLTA Program
• Recruits colleges and universities to host FLTAs 
• Matches FLTA candidates with potential host institutions
• Provides full administrative support to both FLTAs and host institutions during the academic year, including:
• Issuing all documentation required for FLTAs to enter the U.S. in the non-degree student category (J-1 exchange visitors)
• Monitoring records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
• Disbursing payments to those FLTAs funded directly by ECA
• Collecting documentation and reports from participants
• Conducting program surveys
• Organizing orientations and enrichment activities
• Serving as the repository of program information and resources
• Reporting to ECA on program results.

The Role of Fulbright Commissions and U.S. Embassies

Currently, the FLTA program operates in 45 countries worldwide. It is the responsibility of U.S. Embassies and Fulbright Commissions to:

• Recruit candidates from diverse backgrounds and geographic locations within their countries
• Receive applications; screen, interview, and nominate candidates
• Submit nominations to IIE
• Conduct in-country pre-departure orientation programs
• Serve as a post-program link to FLTAs upon return to their home countries
• Some Fulbright Commissions provide supplemental funding to FLTAs for round-trip travel; others assist with or arrange for the international travel of their FLTAs.

All candidates must meet certain requirements. Please refer to the How to Apply section for details.

The Role of the U.S. Host Institutions

U.S. host institutions devise the FLTAs’ program in the United States. Each host institution names a supervisor for their FLTA. Supervisors act as a mentor to the FLTA and IIE’s main contact. Supervisors tailor the FLTA program to meet their department’s unique needs. Supervisors also program an FLTA’s schedule for up to 20 hours per week assigning duties that vary from school to school. All host institutions offer FLTAs the opportunity to take coursesper semester on an audit or credit basis. FLTAs, in consultation with their supervisor, choose the coursework they believe most beneficial to their teaching career. One course offered during the year must be in U.S. Studies. Supervisors serve as an FLTAs first resource in adjusting to the U.S and in solving any issues/problems that may arise. Most host institutions also have international student advisers who assist with the administration of the FLTA Program on campus. 

The needs of each host institution differ. Thus, each FLTA's program is tailored to the needs of the institution and qualifications of the selected TA. In general, however, the host institution:

• Appoints a Supervisor who
• Tailors the FLTA's program to meet the department's unique needs
• Acts as a mentor to the FLTA
• Assists the FLTA to adjust to the U.S. and to solve any issues/problems that may arise
• Serves as IIE's main contact. 

Most host institutions also have international student advisers who assist with the administration of the FLTA Program.

The FLTA's Program

• Will be up to 20 hours per week in various educational activities designated by the Supervisor
• Will include the opportunity to take two courses per semester on an audit or credit basis, most beneficial to their teaching career, as determined in consultation with the Supervisor
• One course taken during the year must be in U.S. studies.

The Role of the FLTA

FLTAs spend one academic year at a U.S. college or university. They:

• Provide a youthful, up-to-date component to foreign language classes
• Enhance the teaching by U.S. professors or teach under their supervision
• Make studying foreign languages in the United States more meaningful and real
• Share their culture and values outside of the classroom by joining clubs and becoming involved in the community.
• Engage in academic study that will enrich their postgraduate studies and enhance their professional development 
• Return home with a high proficiency in English
• Can speak first-hand about the United States, its culture and its people.