Office of English Language Programs
Promoting the learning and teaching of American English around the world is an integral part of the Department of State’s efforts to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Increasing the English language capacity of audiences overseas deepens and enriches their engagement with American counterparts and builds lasting bridges between cultures. English language learning is also key to increasing access to the many exchange programs administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and other academic and professional exchange opportunities in the United States, particularly for potential grantees from underrepresented groups, including women and minorities. In addition, English language programs advance the Department of State’s economic statecraft and foreign assistance goals by expanding access to the local and global job markets, particularly among youth.
The Office of English Language Programs designs and manages programs to promote language learning and support the teaching of English in countries around the world. These programs are administered through local American Embassies and Consulates and are overseen by Regional English Language Officers. The Office of English Language Programs also provides academic expertise and develops English teaching and learning resources for use worldwide. The American English website provides links to multimedia resources and information on exchange opportunities for teachers and students of English as a foreign language.
English Language Fellow Program
The English Language Fellow Program sends U.S. educators in the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) on ten-month fellowships.
English Language Specialist Program
The English Language Specialist Program recruits U.S. academics in the fields of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) / Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) and Applied Linguistics for short-term assignments abroad.
Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Program
The Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Program is an online professional development community for English teachers outside the United States. It includes 8-week online courses, 5-week self-paced and facilitated Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCSs) webinars, and Open Educational Resources for English language teachers, professionals, and learners.
English Access Microscholarship Program
The English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) provides a foundation of English language skills to talented 13-20 year-olds from economically disadvantaged sectors through after-school classes and intensive sessions..
American English
Your one-stop shop for teaching and learning English and finding out about American culture.