2024-2026 English Without Borders Network Program

Background:  English Without Borders (EWB) is a project funded by the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan and implemented since 2021, providing support to English teachers across all regions in Tajikistan. The current EWB project will conclude December 2024; this year PDS seeks to consolidate some English Language Programs under one umbrella—namely continuing EWB networking-type activities, but also providing more targeted support for secondary school (high school) English teachers to use modern teaching methods as well as the new English language textbook. EWB unites English language teachers and students at all levels, supporting them through peer-to-peer networking, the development of pedagogical materials, online and in-person training sessions, and train-the-trainer programs. These online and in-person activities develop teachers’ capacity to employ modern, student-centric methodologies and design supplementary materials.  

The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe has an ambitious slate of English language projects, many in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science. These efforts support Tajikistan’s strategy on improving English language learning by 2030 and President Rahmon’s 2024 statement on learning foreign languages, including English. While the number of students interested in learning English is on the rise, the number of teachers qualified and prepared to teach them is not. This is due to the relatively sudden increase in the number of classes offered, the relatively recent emergence of English as a foreign language -- resulting in few professional teachers with a specialization in English -- and an insufficient number of English teachers.  

 U.S. Embassy English language programs range from secondary school teacher training programs and providing English language textbooks to English Access Scholarship programs and supporting universities with English Resource Centers and English Language Fellows. In its new iteration, EWB should continue to complement and expand their collaboration with other PDS-funded projects and their participants.

Due to the demand for the U.S. Embassy Dushanbe’s English language programs, the EWB network should continue to utilize its platforms to reach teachers across the country. EWB should continue to expand its partnership with other governmental, non-governmental, private, and international organizations to support a sustainable network for English teachers and students and provide access to learning resources, including collaboration with TESOL International Association, the English-Speaking Nation Project in Uzbekistan, and English Teachers Associations in Dushanbe and across Central Asia. 

The expected date range for implementation of project is December 1, 2024, to December 1, 2026. Please follow the instructions below for the application. 

Project Goal: 

Develop a network of English language educators and educational institutions across Tajikistan to deliver high-quality and effective English language instruction.  

Project Audience(s):  

Direct Audience  

• Approximately 4,000 secondary school English teachers of Tajikistan 
• Teachers at higher education institutions teaching in English (English language and other subjects) 
• Tajikistan English Teachers Association members 
• USG English-language program alumni (Fulbright TEA, FLTA, ETM, OPEN online course, SUSI, Access Scholarship programs) 
• Institute of Professional Development members 
• EWB members 

Project Objectives:  

Objectives: 

• Objective 1: Increase participation of English language educators from educational institutions, particularly secondary schools, in rural areas of the DRS, Gorno-Badakhshan, Khatlon, and Sughd regions by 10% each year.  
• Objective 2: Increase the ability of secondary school teachers from rural areas (DRS, Gorno Badakhshan, Khatlon, Sughd regions) to use modern teaching methods with the new English language textbook through comprehensive training conducted by EWB regional trainers and mini grants. 
• Objective 3: Increase the number of EWB initiatives implemented at schools, universities and institutions, and local communities in urban and rural areas through ....  
• Objective 4: Increase knowledge sharing between USG English language program alumni and non-alumni English language educators through mentorship programs.  
• Objective 5: Strengthen collaboration and knowledge sharing practices between English teacher associations and English teacher networks in Central Asian countries, including Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. 
• Objective 6: Identify avenues for collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science’s Institute of Professional Development (IPD), such as joint research, curriculum, or teacher training programs. 

 Activities:  

1. Hold an annual leadership development program to support proactive English teachers in the regions to take on new initiatives and cooperate with the EWB regional representatives in promoting EWB activities at schools and in local communities.  
2. Create a team of EWB leaders/ambassadors in each of the four regions to hold weekly professional development and capacity building events and organize annual regional meetings. 
3. Strengthen the community of USG English language alumni in the regions (Fulbright TEA, FLTA, ETM, OPEN online course, SUSI, FLEX, Access Scholarship programs) and develop mentorship programs in each region to engage the alumni in different EWB activities and events, and to act as mentors to other (non-alumni) English teachers. 
4. Sustain dynamic work and explore new avenues for collaboration with the Institute of Professional Development (IPD) under the Ministry of Education and Science. 
5. Strengthen and expand upon our partnership with English teacher associations and English teachers’ networks in Central Asian countries through national and international online collaborative events and activities. 
6. Train teachers to use the new English language textbooks, for example through the EWB regional trainers’ activities and EWB mini grant.