US Govt Invites Kenyans To Teach Kiswahili In America; How To Apply
The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi announced that the program is specifically for Kenyans who want to teach Kiswahili.
Marvin Chege 
The United States (US) President Donald Trump administration has introduced a rare opportunity for Kenyans interested in teaching in the American superpower.
On Wednesday, April 23, the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi announced that the program is specifically for Kenyans who want to teach Kiswahili.
Through the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) program, selected individuals will get the chance to teach Kiswahili in U.S. colleges and universities for one academic year, from 2026 to 2027.
The initiative aims to expose American students to different cultures and languages by bringing in foreign language instructors to U.S. higher education institutions.
US President Donald Trump. /ASSOCIATED PRESS
In the announcement, the U.S. Embassy urged interested candidates to submit their applications by May 16 this year. However, applicants must first verify that they meet the eligibility requirements for the program.
“Apply for the 2026-2027 Fulbright FLTA Program and teach Kiswahili in the U.S. while gaining valuable professional and cultural exchange experience,” the statement read in part.
Kenyans currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs at U.S. colleges or universities were encouraged to apply through their institutions.
For those not currently enrolled in a U.S. institution, the guidance is to apply through the last U.S.-based college or university they attended, as long as it has a Fulbright Program Adviser (FPA) and is open to accepting alumni applications.
Kenyans who have never studied at any American institution should apply as at-large candidates.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have earned at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent before the program begins.
They must also meet the language proficiency standards of the specific award they’re applying for and be capable of completing the program and adapting to life in the U.S.
Preference will be given to those who have never received a Fulbright grant. Past grantees from 2023 to 2026 will be at a disadvantage in the 2026–2027 cycle.
Applicants who completed most of their higher education in the U.S. will also be given priority.
Other requirements include: being fluent in English, being flexible and having a willingness to learn, being able to work creatively, being adaptable to living in rural or urban areas, demonstrating maturity, integrity, and professionalism, and not holding a U.S. citizenship.
Interested candidates should apply for the program through the FLTA's website: https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/apply. The deadline for the applications is May 16, 2025.
