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CAPES, in partnership with the Fulbright Commission, has opened registrations for an English course in the United States. The program offers 270 spots and aims to strengthen English teaching in Brazil. Registrations are open until January 15, 2025.
Have you ever imagined improving your English at the best universities in the United States without spending a dime? This is the proposal of the new program launched by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), in partnership with the Fulbright Commission.
This opportunity arises for English teachers from the public basic education network currently in service, who wish to enhance their command of the language and acquire new teaching methodologies to implement in their classrooms.
Intensive Course in the USA: Complete Experience for Teachers
CAPES, which is an agency linked to the Ministry of Education (MEC), published Public Notice No. 27/2024, which provides for up to 270 spots for the Professional Development Program for English Language Teachers (PDPI).
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This six-week intensive course will be held at American universities, where selected participants will experience the culture and educational system of the United States up close.
According to CAPES, the program’s main objective is to contribute to the training of more qualified teachers who can bring back to Brazil new methodologies and resources for teaching English.
Each Brazilian state, along with the Federal District, will have 10 spots, totaling 270 opportunities, which will be distributed in three different modalities, according to the participants’ English level:
- Basic Level: 5 spots
- Intermediate Level: 3 spots
- Advanced Level: 2 spots
These modalities have been planned with specific curricular components to help teachers develop pedagogical competencies and adapt content to meet the needs of their students.
CAPES expects that upon returning to Brazil, these teachers will act as multipliers, implementing the new strategies learned in their schools and contributing to the improvement of English teaching quality in the country.
Participation Criteria for the PDPI Program
To compete for a spot in the PDPI, teachers must meet strict criteria.
Registrations are already open and can be made until January 15, 2025, directly on the Fulbright Commission website.
Applicants must fill out an online form and ensure that they are eligible to participate. Below are some of the main requirements:
Residency in Brazil: Only Brazilian citizens can participate, but foreigners with permanent residency in Brazil are also accepted.
Connection to the Public Network: The candidate must be a tenured teacher who has completed the probationary period and is currently teaching English in the public network (federal, state, municipal, or district).
Score on the TOEFL: All candidates need to achieve a minimum of 400 points on the Test of English as a Foreign Language – Institutional Testing Program (TOEFL ITP). This test is used to prove the teacher’s English level and ensure that they can make the most of the course.
The departure of selected teachers is scheduled to take place between June 26 and 28, 2025, with the course in the United States starting shortly afterward.
During this period, participants will have an intensive study routine, including workshops, in-person classes, and practical activities, all aimed at improving English teaching as a foreign language.
Course Structure in the United States
Each course modality will offer teachers curricular components that address innovative methods and resources for teaching English.
Among the planned activities are pedagogical development workshops, preparation of teaching materials, and adaptation of content for different audiences and ages.
The Fulbright Commission, a partner of CAPES in this project, highlights that the exchange is a way to bring not only new language skills but also cultural insights that can be shared in Brazilian schools upon the program’s conclusion.
According to CAPES, this initiative has a strong impact on the training of public network teachers, especially since they will have access to a type of training that is often unavailable in Brazil.
The goal is to ensure that these teachers return to the country ready to make a difference in the classroom, applying updated methods and techniques, while also inspiring their students to delve deeper into learning the English language.
What are the Benefits for Brazil?
The investment in teacher training is part of a national strategy to improve English teaching in public schools, preparing Brazilian students for a future where proficiency in a foreign language is increasingly essential.
CAPES emphasizes that the PDPI program goes beyond linguistic development: it focuses on methodological and cultural aspects that can transform education in Brazil.
This experience will allow teachers to share with their teaching networks what they have learned, creating a chain of benefits that starts with the teacher and reaches the students.
This international training is a strategic opportunity for Brazilian schools, as it raises the level of English teaching and allows teachers to gain experiences they would likely not have without a program like this.
Furthermore, training abroad encourages these teachers to bring new approaches to their schools, contributing to a more globalized education that is connected to the demands of the job market and contemporary society.
How to Apply for the CAPES English Program
Registrations for the PDPI program are open until January 15, 2025. To apply, the candidate must visit the Fulbright Commission website (fulbright.org.br) and fill out the online form.
The website contains all detailed instructions regarding the application process and the required requirements.
The complete public notice with information about the course and selection stages can be consulted in the link provided by CAPES: PDPI 2024 Notice.
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