IATEFL Projects

Small grants making a big difference

The IATEFL Projects scheme offers a grant each year to support Teaching Associations undertake a project that will make an improvement to language teaching and learning in the local community and give the opportunity for less experienced teachers to take an active role.

Grants of up to £1,500 are currently available. Funding can be requested for less than £1,500 but only a maximum of £1,500 will be awarded.

Examples of projects that could be undertaken include:

• Develop a course to upgrade teachers’ language skills
• Run a conference to address a particular local issue with the aim of creating solutions
• Build  a leadership skills programme  for newly qualified teachers
• Produce a bank of new teaching materials

Who can apply?

The scheme is intended only for IATEFL Associates in countries listed as ‘high’, ‘medium’ or ‘low’ (but not ‘very high’) on the United Nations Human Development Index. Winners of IATEFL Project funding are welcome to reapply for funding for a different project after a year’s break following the completion of the current Project. Applicants should be able to demonstrate the following:

• That the project has a clear aim and will benefit a broad community of language teachers
• That the project is achievable. Simple ideas to improve teaching and learning are often more effective than complex schemes.
• That the budget shows clearly how the funds will be spent
• That a range of people are involved in the setting up and management of the project
• That there are clear plans in place to evaluate and disseminate the project outcomes

The next step…

• IATEFL_Projects_application_form_updated 2024.pdf
• Terms_and_Conditions_for_IATEFL_Projects_applications_updated 2024.pdf
• Send it to IATEFL Head Office at the address included at the end of the form.

Whilst IATEFL Associates can submit an application at any time, these are reviewed and winners chosen once a year. The closing date for the next review of applications is Friday 13 March 2026. The winner of the 2026 grant will be announced at the Welcome Reception at the IATEFL Conference on the 20 April 2026 and then on social media shortly afterwards.
Make a donation to IATEFL Projects

2025 – APC-ELI (Cuba)

This project supports teachers and families in two underserved communities on the outskirts of Havana—La Güinera (Arroyo Naranjo) and Zamora (Marianao)—by helping children practice English outside the classroom in fun, engaging ways. Benefiting 60 participants, the initiative provides age-appropriate, adaptable teaching materials aligned with the Cuban curriculum. It also offers hands-on, three-day workshops to train community members in using these resources effectively, followed by real-world observation to support and strengthen their efforts. The project fosters a collaborative, community-based approach to language learning, empowering families and educators to create more enriching educational experiences for children.

2024 – TESOL Bangladesh

 

The IATEFL Projects grant has been awarded to TESOL BD to implement the initiative titled “Technology-supported Capacity Building of Female Teachers in Underprivileged Slum-based Schools in Bangladesh.” This project focuses on empowering female teachers working in low-income areas of Dhaka by enhancing their professional development and improving their ICT literacy. It also aims to foster creativity and innovation in navigating the challenges of low-resource teaching environments. Additionally, the project will establish a collaborative platform where teachers can share experiences, knowledge, and educational materials to support one another and promote sustainable growth within their teaching communities.

2023 – FORTELL (India)

A project aimed to come up with strategies to help teachers utilise the multilingual repertoire of students when teaching English language skills. Identifying locally used effective multilingual teaching strategies, reviewing and collating these, and then sharing and celebrating them through an accessible digital platform.

2022 – Nepal English Language Teacher’s Association (NELTA)

A project to teach 28 female teachers from marginalised and disadvantaged areas in the Sudur Passim province, basic ICT skills as well as developing their communication and leadership skills.

2020 – Angolan English Language Teachers’ Association (ANELTA)

A project aimed at providing students and English practitioners with leadership skills to run English Clubs in their schools and villages. The training provided is intended to help participants with the necessary skills required to support English language learners who wish to practice listening, reading, speaking and writing skills.

2019 – Tanzanian English Language Teachers Association (TELTA)

A project to provide special training for teachers through Communities of Practice (CoP), by increasing creativity, innovation, responsiveness and improved staff skills. The training provided will enhance teachers’ capabilities in their teaching.

2016 – Côte d’Ivoire Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (CI-ATEFL)

A project aimed at training teachers in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and to create a Cote d’Ivoire Digital Learning Community (CI-DLC) – a tool to support English teachers and encourage them to get involved, communicate with each other, and exchange materials, ideas and best practice.

2015 – Cameroon English Language Teaching Association (CAMELTA)

A project to fund the development of training materials for a workshop aimed at developing the leadership skills of teachers in ELT. Six training modules were produced to form the basis for a three day workshop which could be rolled out across Cameroon.

2014 – English Language Teachers’ Association of India (ELTAI)

A project to fund a two day workshop in which 17 teachers of English would receive training in how to incorporate the use of technology in their teaching. Sessions covered: Virtual and Flipped classrooms, Mobile learning, Google Drive, Social Networking, Blogging, Google and Yahoo groups.