Since 2006, the Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP) awards U.S. schools the opportunity to host an experienced exchange teacher from Chinese or Arabic speaking countries for one academic year to increase the number of Americans studying important world languages.
TCLP exchange teachers are highly qualified educators from their home countries, who have been foreign language teachers for at least four years, have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and are proficient in written and spoken English.
TCLP is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. The goals of TCLP are to increase mutual understanding between U.S. school communities and international communities, develop lasting ties that provide opportunities for U.S. students to learn critical foreign languages from a native speaker, and develop in-depth cultural knowledge from the international teachers.
U.S. host schools receive an exchange teacher for an academic year who helps the school start or expand their Arabic or Chinese program by teaching their native language and conducting outreach in feeder schools and the educational community at large. Host schools also receive visa support for the exchange teacher, monthly maintenance allowances and medical insurance for the exchange teacher, multi-day orientations and professional development workshops throughout the year, and ongoing program monitoring and support.
Additionally, the program enables exchange teachers to experience U.S. culture, improve their English, and expand their knowledge of U.S. teaching methodologies.
