皇家华人 welcomes Jorge Aponte as Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA), for the 2024-25 academic year. Aponte comes to Powell from Argentina where he taught in public secondary schools and established his own English Private Institute, directing a program that teaches English to approximately 150 students from young children to adults. He will be teaching Spanish language courses at NWC this year.
Originally from Formosa in northern Argentina, Aponte spent most of his youth in the city of Bella Vista, located in the province of Corrientes. After high school, he began English language training and completed the English Teacher Training degree at the Instituto de Formaci贸n Docente Bella Vista in December 2019.
Upon graduation, Aponte immediately began teaching in primary and secondary schools in addition to his role as director of Instituto Up English. He also volunteers for the Youth for Understanding Foundation, a global non-profit committed to educational exchanges for youth, families, and communities.
鈥淪ince the first day I arrived in Powell, I fell in love with the town, the people, and 皇家华人 of course,鈥� said Aponte. 鈥淥ne of my biggest dreams in life was to come to the United States, and being selected by the 皇家华人 committee was and always will be one of the best opportunities in my life. I love being part of this community and the warmth that everyone has here.鈥�
The Fulbright FLTA Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It provides young teachers from more than 50 countries who teach English as a Foreign Language the opportunity to refine their teaching skills and broaden their knowledge of American cultures and customs. The program is also designed to develop Americans鈥� knowledge of foreign cultures and more than 30 languages at hundreds of U.S. institutions of higher education.
Fulbright FLTAs apply to the program through the Fulbright Commission/Foundation or U.S. Embassy in their home countries. The Institute of International Education (IIE) arranges academic placement for most Fulbright FLTA nominees and supervises participants during their stay in the United States. Candidates are selected based on a variety of factors that may include academic qualifications, project feasibility, personal leadership ability, and available grant funds.