PIM

Dear all,

The Office of English Language Programs of the U.S. Embassy cordially invites you to join our English Language Specialist (ELSpec) Program for the period ranging from October 2007 to September 2008.

ELSpecs are well-versed professionals in the field of ELT. They serve as short-term consultants, lecturers or workshop leaders at public universities, teacher-training institutions and state-level Ministries of Education. Private universities can join the ELSpec program only by associating with one of the aforesaid entities – at least 50% of the audience must be from the public sector. ELSpecs usually work at a single site for a full week, 4 to 6 hours a day (20-24 hours total). We strongly recommend that they work with teacher trainers rather than regular faculty so that the institution can start its own sustainable teacher-training program.

Please keep in mind that a single site can only be granted an ELSpec for a maximum of two years in a row, so think ahead of time to fully take advantage of this opportunity. Sites are required to hand in brief follow-up reports upon completion of the program, and then three and six months later.

The ELSpec program is a joint venture, so costs are shared as follows:

• The Office of English Language Programs covers the cost of honorarium and international travel.
• The host institution covers the cost of lodging, meals and local transportation.
  

If you are interested in submitting a request for an ELSpec, please write an e-mail to villafuertejm@state.gov as detailed below:

1. In the subject line, write "ELSpec request".
2. Clearly state that you will pay for the ELSpec's lodging, meals and local transportation. This includes picking up the ELSpec at the corresponding terminal upon arrival and dropping the ELSpec at the corresponding terminal at the end of the program.
3. Make sure to include ALL of the following information in your message, even if it is only tentative at the time:
   • Name of person making the request
   • Title/position of person making the request
   • Institution of affiliation, including mailing address
   • Telephone numbers (please include LADA area codes)
   • Dates for the ELSpec program (please give two options)
   • Topics and purpose of ELSpec program
   • Type of audience (staff, teacher trainers, program administrators) and number of participants
     

Your information will be extremely valuable to plan our budget and schedule ELSpec programs for the coming year, especially for the summer of 2008. Be advised, nevertheless, that we cannot guarantee your request will be granted. We will get back to you to confirm your request before processing it and will inform you timely whether it will be granted. All of the programs are conducted in English.

If you wish to have a better idea of what the program entails, go to http://exchanges.state.gov/education/engteaching/specialists.htm, click on "View Specialist Highlights" (close to the bottom of the box to the right), then click on "The Americas" link below the map. That will give you access to ELSpec travel reports.

Last but not least, keep in mind that preference will be given to programs that have a regional rather than an institutional impact.

Deadline to submit requests for ELSpecs: Friday, August 31, 2007.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me immediately. Looking forward to hearing from you soon,

Jose Manuel Villafuerte A.
Office of English Language Programs
US Embassy Mexico
Benjamin Franklin Library
Liverpool 31, Col Juárez
06600 México D.F.