The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh is pleased to announce the recruitment for a two-week Service Learning Exchange Program at Bowling Green State University, which will take place in October/November 2017.

The Service Learning Exchange Program is intended for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom teachers from Africa, Eastern Europe, East Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, and South and Central Asia. This intensive professional development workshop seeks to strengthen EFL teachers’ understanding of service learning strategies within an English as a Foreign Language curriculum and provide practical guidance for effectively integrating these strategies into their local classrooms through enhanced critical thinking skills. Participants will gain practical knowledge and skills in identifying contextually-relevant community service activities and incorporating service learning into their lessons to reinforce learning in English language classrooms.

Service Learning is an educational approach that integrates civic engagement or community services in the learning objective to ensure a progressive learning experience that address societal issues. This teaching and learning strategy provides students with academic knowledge and skills in order to be ready for college and career success upon leaving high school.

The participants of this program will attend a two-week workshop at a U.S. host university around the theme of Service Learning Strategies for International English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Classrooms with a special focus on increasing critical-thinking skills. Activities during the exchange program will include, but may not be limited to:

• Experiential learning and interactive sessions with practical application and relevance to the participants’ local context;
• Classroom observations and/or active participation at U.S. secondary schools, community learning centers, and/or intensive English programs that incorporate service learning into their instruction;
• Site visits with community organizations/partners to participate in a hands-on experiential service learning project(s);
• Meetings with instructors/educators focusing on service learning strategies and critical thinking skills;
• Cultural excursions that are designed to enhance the participants’ understanding of U.S. culture and values; and
• 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
• Not 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:
Mr. Socheat Ou
Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh
Phone: 023-728-248
Email: PASExchanges@state.gov