Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program 2027-2028

The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and aims to strengthen foreign-language instruction at U.S. colleges and universities. FLTAs are usually young English teachers who serve as native-speaker language assistants while studying at their host school. Their duties may include assisting or teaching up to two classes per semester, leading language tables and clubs, and organizing cultural events. They also take two courses per semester, including American studies, on either an audit or credit basis. The program covers 30+ languages and participants come from 50+ countries. It is a non-degree, non-renewable, nine-month program, and participants return to their home countries when it ends.

1. Round-trip international airfare.
2. J-1 visa sponsorship.
3. A J-1 compliant health benefits plan.
4. A tuition and fees waiver from the host institution for two courses per semester.
5. A living package from the host school, either room and board plus a monthly stipend (a minimum of about US$500-600 per month under the host rules) or a stipend large enough to cover living costs.
6. Fulbright enrichment activities and orientation.
7. Professional development, including U.S. teaching experience.
8. Dependents are not permitted to accompany FLTAs, and some country pages state that the host institution’s tuition waiver is part of the award.

1. You must be a citizen of a participating country and apply through that country’s Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy. Independent applicants do not qualify.
2. You must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
3. You must be an early-career English teacher or a professional in a related field. Many countries cap teaching experience at fewer than seven years.
4. Your native language must be one the host U.S. institutions request. Applicants teach their native language to U.S. students.
5. You need strong English skills.
6. U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents are not eligible.
7. You must not have lived in the U.S. for five or more years in the six years before applying.
8. You must be willing to return home after the program.
9. Employment by certain stated U.S. government organizations by you or your immediate family within the past year can disqualify you.
10. Country-specific rules vary. For example, Brazil requires an undergraduate degree in English and/or Portuguese.