American English, Culture, And Area Studies Instructor - In-Person (M-F) (Education)
ICA is currently seeking an in-person American English, Culture, and Area Studies Instructor to teach at our facility in Arlington, VA (near Rosslyn metro). The candidates should have at least two years of experience teaching the target language in a proficiency-oriented environment to adult students on an intensive basis.
Job Details:
- Period of performance: 9/15/25 - 9/19/25 (alternatively, 9/8/25 - 9/12/25)
- Training days: M-F
- Schedule: 6 hours between 8:00 am – 3:00 pm EST (daily hours not to exceed 6 hours)
- Prep time: 0.25 hours of prep per each 1 hour taught
- Training type: American English, culture, and area studies course
- Number of students: 2
- The training program will include homework activities and should focus on developing language skills such as: speaking, listening, reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and culture.
Training Goals
To develop English speaking, listening, and grammar skills while also delving deeper into American history and culture, incorporating a proposed list of focus areas below.
Speaking Topics
- What is American Culture?
- Overview of American identity, diversity, and regional variation.
- School systems, sports (NFL, NBA), fast food culture.
- Common idioms: “Break the ice,” “Hit the sack,” “Cut to the chase.”
- Slang from different decades and subcultures.
- Political and sports metaphors in everyday speech.
- Office and Business jargon
- Modern American Cinema & Society
- American Humor (examples of sarcasm, irony, self-deprecation, deadpan, absurdism)
- American Idioms, Slang , Sayings, and Jokes
- Cultural differences across regions (South vs. West Coast vs. Midwest).
- American Traditions, Holidays & Rituals
- School hierarchy, college culture, 9-to-5 life, work ethic with possible media tie-in (Modern Family, The Office, Friends)
- “The American Dream” and critiques of it.
- Media Literacy and American News Culture (CNN, Fox News, SNL, late-night hosts (Colbert, Fallon, Kimmel)
American History
The American Experiment - Ideal vs. Reality:
To what extent have the founding principles articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution (e.g., "all men are created equal," "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness") been realized throughout American history, particularly for marginalized groups? Discuss specific historical periods and movements (e.g., Civil Rights, women's suffrage, Native American rights).
The Enduring Legacy of the Civil War:
Beyond its immediate causes and outcomes, how has the American Civil War profoundly shaped the nation's political landscape, social divisions, and economic development in the long 20th and 21st centuries? Consider issues of states' rights, racial inequality, and regional identity.
American Foreign Policy: Isolationism to Hegemony
Trace the evolution of U.S. foreign policy from its early isolationist tendencies to its post-WWII role as a global superpower. Discuss key turning points (e.g., Spanish-American War, Cold War, post-9/11 interventions) and their ethical and strategic implications.
American Culture
The Shifting American Dream:
How has the concept of "the American Dream" evolved over time, and to what extent does it remain a relevant or attainable ideal in contemporary American society? Discuss economic, social, and cultural factors influencing its perception.
Pop Culture as a Reflection and Driver of Change:
Analyze how American popular culture (music, film, television, social media) both reflects and actively shapes national identity, social norms, and political discourse. Provide examples of significant cultural exports and their global impact.
Consumerism and its Cultural Footprint:
Discuss the pervasive nature of consumerism in American culture. What are its historical roots, its psychological and social impacts, and its ethical implications (e.g., environmental degradation, planned obsolescence)?
American Politics
Media, Disinformation, and Political Discourse:
Analyze the profound impact of traditional and social media on American political discourse. How have developments in media technology contributed to political polarization, the spread of disinformation, and changes in public trust in institutions?
Federalism in Practice: State vs. Federal Power:
Examine the complexities of American federalism, particularly the ongoing tension between state and federal authority. Discuss contemporary issues (e.g., marijuana legalization, climate change policy, immigration) where this tension is evident and its implications for governance.
Listening
- Listening to various English accents (British dialects, Appalachian-English, Cajun-English, Scottish)
Grammar
- Indefinite/definite article usage (a, an, and the vs. no article)
- Practice with Gerunds and continuous forms of verbs (“ing” form)
- Modal and Auxiliary verbs (can, have, etc.)
- Word placement changes in statements v. questions
- Conditionals (especially Type 3 and Mixed Conditionals); Verb forms in the "if" clause or the main clause (e.g., "If I would have known..." instead of "If I had known...").
Preferred Qualifications:
- Two years of full-time experience teaching adult students
- Bachelor's degree in related field
- Native speaker of the Amercian English
- Teaching experience with Zoom online platform preferred.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or foreign nationals with authorization to work in the United States.
ICA Language Services is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of the race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws
