English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) Program

The Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship ( ETA ) program places American college graduates as teachers in elementary and secondary schools across South Korea. Beginning in 1992 with just eight grantees, the program now brings almost 90 Americans to Korea each year. Fulbright Korea’s ETA program has been benchmarked as the “Gold Standard” among all ETA programs worldwide by the U.S. State Department. The program is the largest among all Fulbright Commissions, boasting nearly 1,100 program participants since its founding. It is highly regarded for its innovative training, unmatched program benefits, and access to the Fulbright Korea alumni network, which consists of more than 3,600 American and Korean scholars, researchers, and specialists.

The Korean Ministry of Education is particularly supportive of the ETA program for stressing the importance of placing native English speaking teachers outside of Seoul, and particularly in less developed areas of Korea. ETAs in return feel that their efforts have more meaning where students are not yet accustomed to seeing foreigners on a daily basis. 

Each year several ETA alumni gain entrance into prestigious law, medical, and graduate programs across the United States. Recent ETA alumni are currently studying at Harvard, Columbia, the University of California - Berkeley, and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Several ETAs also choose to remain in or return to Korea in order to teach at Korean universities, work for international firms or enroll in Korean graduate schools.

Fulbright Korea ETAs are young American citizens who have completed at least a bachelor’s degree level of schooling and are passionate about cultural exchange through civil service. ETAs have come from a variety of backgrounds in studies including political science, medicine, global studies, English literature, art, education, Korean studies and more. Most importantly, ETAs care about their role as a teacher in the Korean education system and dedicate a full year (or more) to being a force of positive encouragement to their students. Also, ETAs have the unique opportunity to live in a Korean homestay, exposing them to the Korean family unit and communal aspects of Korean life.

Some notable Fulbright Korea ETA alumni include:

• Joseph Ableidinger (1999) - Consultant for Public Impact, noted for his restructuring of school models and teacher roles 
  
  
• Tanya Biank (1993) - Author of Army Wives, basis for the Lifetime Television Network drama “Army Wives,” syndicated columnist, guest speaker and military volunteer
  
  
• Stacy Birdsell (2000) - Founding principal of Democracy Prep Blackstone Valley Charter Schools
  
  
• Allis Ghim (1995) - Head of Japan and Taiwan, eBay, Inc.
  
  
• Balbina Hwang (1998) - Senior Policy Analyst, Asian Studies Center, Heritage Foundation
  
  
• Robert Kafalenos (1992) - Environmental Protections Specialist, US Dept of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
  
  
• Christine Kim Bautista (1995) - Attorney, Social Security Administration, Office of General Counsel
  
  
• Ashley Juliette Quarcoo (2001) - Deputy Africa Coordinator, US Agency for International Development
  
  
• Dennis A. Shorts (2001) - Strategic Communication Analyst, US Forces in Korea
  
  
• Rhea Sun Suh (1992) - Assistant Secretary for Policy and Management, US Department of the Interior

Most ETAs are currently teaching in middle schools and high schools, while our elementary ETA program continues to grow each year. Students may be enrolled in coeducational or single-sex institutions. Korean students vary in their English levels, challenging ETAs to come up with creative teaching solutions to ensure the success of all students. English is a mandatory part of the Korean education system; students who are proficient in English generally get into top universities, creating a strong desire for many students to study very hard. Life at school is centered on studying, as students generally arrive around 8 am and study late into the night, many past 10 or 11 pm at either a hagwon (private institution) or at their school. Top grades on standardized tests and getting into top universities are among the most valued aspects of Korean culture. ETAs have a unique opportunity to create a special bond with their students by using English in a more fun, less stressful atmosphere.  Hear from one ETA’s student in the video below.

Those interested in applying for the ETA program in Korea may do so via the Institute of International Education (IIE)'s website (http://us.fulbrightonline.org/applynow.html). IIE, whose headquarters are located in New York, is responsible for processing applications for all American Fulbright student awards, including the English Teaching Assistant Program. For further information on the application process, contact Jonathan Akeley, IIE Pacific/East Asia Program Officer, at <jakeley@iie.org>. KAEC does not accept applications from Americans directly.

The application deadline for the 2012-2013 competition is now closed. Please check the application page often for more updates about the 2013-2014 Fulbright grant cycle.

Links:

• ETA Brochure
• Institute of International Education (IIE)
• Online Fulbright Application

Fulbright Korea ETA Program 20th Anniversary