The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh is pleased to announce the recruitment for a two-week Integrating Critical Thinking Skills Program which will take place in the United States in August 2018.

The Critical Thinking Skills Exchange Program is intended for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom teachers and university level educators who train future or present EFL classroom teachers from Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, Near East Asia, and South and Central Asia. This intensive professional development workshop seeks to strengthen EFL teachers’ understanding of critical thinking skills strategies within an English as a Foreign Language curriculum and provide practical guidance for effectively integrating these strategies into the entire educational process, including planning, curriculum and materials development, evaluation, and reflecting on classroom practices. Participants will gain practical knowledge and skills in incorporating critical thinking skills into their lessons to reinforce learning in English language classrooms.

The participants of this program will attend a two-week workshop at a U.S. host university around the theme of Incorporating Critical Thinking Skills into the Educational Process. Activities during the exchange program will include, but may not be limited to:

1. Experiential learning and interactive sessions with practical application and relevance to the participants’ local context;
2. Classroom observations and/or active participation at U.S. secondary schools (if class is in session), community learning centers, and/or intensive English programs that incorporate critical thinking skills into their instruction;
3. Site visits to community organizations/partners to participate in hands-on experiential learning activities that promote the use of critical thinking skills;
4. Meetings with instructors/educators focusing on critical thinking skills;
5. Cultural excursions that are designed to enhance the participants’ understanding of U.S. culture and values; and
6. A culminating project that showcases the participants acquired knowledge and demonstrates their commitment to implement these new strategies upon their return to their home countries. Participants will have the opportunity to present their project to their peers and workshop facilitators to cultivate constructive feedback.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a citizen of Cambodia;
• Must reside in Cambodia at the time of application;
• Be a current EFL classroom teacher;
• Have a minimum English language proficiency equivalent to a B1, or Independent User, as outlined in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) of Languages. Please access the following link for detailed language proficiency descriptions: B1- C2 language proficiency as defined by the CEFR;
• Demonstrate a commitment to EFL teaching after completion of the program; and
• ot have any existing health issues that may prevent them from traveling.

How to apply

Fill in the online application form here.

For information, please contact:
Public Affairs Section
U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh
Phone: 023-728-248
Email: PASExchanges@state.gov