English as a Second Language & American Cultural Programming for American Center Cairo (ACC) Youth

Description

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The U.S. Embassy Cairo Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations or individuals to submit applications to plan and conduct a series of programs on U.S. culture and society using English as a second language. The target audience is Egyptian youth at/for the American Center Cairo (ACC) at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. An award will be made to a successful applicant subject to the availability of appropriated funds.PURPOSE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: PAS Cairo invites requests for funding from individuals, educational institutions, and not-for-profit organizations for programs to teach English to college-aged patrons of the U.S. Embassy’s American Center Cairo (ACC) , while simultaneously strengthening ties between the United States and Egypt. Successful requests for funding will offer English instruction for six months to one year in the ACC. Requests for funding must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy, cultural, society, and perspectives, in addition to teaching English.PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: Plan and conduct a regularly occurring series of engaging and interactive programs on U.S. history, culture, and society through the medium of English as a second/foreign language to build language skills and a greater understanding of the United States. Programs must include a comprehensive means of assessment and should be planned with virtual and in-person alternatives/components in case of continued closure of the ACC to visitors due to COVID-19. Learning about American society and culture through English as a second/foreign language allows participants to simultaneously build critical cross-cultural skills necessary for employment, gain a deeper understanding of America and Americans, and develop confidence in order to work with speakers of English or travel or study in the United States. The recipient of funding will work closely with the ACC Director and ACC Outreach Assistant in developing a yearly/monthly plan for programs about American English, cultural and values, and information about the USA. Typical program activities will last one to two hours, should be based on ESL/EFL pedagogy, and may cover themes such as American science, technology, and innovation; entrepreneurship; freedom of speech; diversity and inclusion; U.S. democracy and human rights; environment and health; American holidays; and media literacy. Activities may include simultaneous and asynchronous components, and include film screenings and discussions, gameplay, and interactive vocabulary exercises, among others.ACC facilities include a Zoom account (managed/coordinated through ACC staff), Smartboard, a projector, speakers, a microphone, a video conferencing system for possible guest speakers or online participants, high speed internet, a copy machine, and an instructor computer and participant laptops, if needed. Applicants should derive program content from available resources from the American Center Cairo, the U.S. Government, and other authoritative sources. These include, but are not limited to:Documentaries available via Kanopy and other databases;Films available under the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation Agreement, Programming in American Spaces https://americanspaces.state.gov/programming/;The Department of State’s American English site https://americanenglish.state.gov;Voice of America’s Learning English site https://learningenglish.voanews.com/.Program content should include engaging, interactive programming. Applicants should be mindful of copyright restrictions and should budget for personnel time, materials, and supplies needed for specific programs. The ACC is the U.S. Embassy’s primary outreach center, daily offering interactive, engaging programs and information to Egyptian audiences on American policy, culture, society and values and the English language. Find more information, please see https://eg.usembassy.gov/education-culture/acc/. PARTICIPANTS AND AUDIENCES: Program activities will typically engage Egyptian college-aged youth interested in improving their English and learning about American culture and society. Proposals should outline anticipated audience size and number of programs per month.ELIGIBILITY, APPLICATION, AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION: For additional information, please visit the U.S. Embassy web site (eg.usembassy.gov) or e-mail (acccairo@state.gov).

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