Other Fulbright Grants India: Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program

Mohammad Jibraan Fazili

Dr. Mohammad Jibraan Fazili is an assistant professor of English at Malla Reddy University in Hyderabad, where he teaches English language and literature courses. He has developed curriculum material and mentored English-language learners. He also has an extensive experience as an English tutor on various online platforms, where he gave personalized training to a diverse group of students. He also conducts communication and soft skills training, personality development sessions, and prepares students for Cambridge B2 level competence and tests like IELTS, and TOEFL. His deep understanding of the nuances of language and literature underline his teaching methods.

With a focus on immigration, nativism, and modern fiction, Dr. Fazili earned his PhD in English from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in 2024, where he also completed his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in English. Proficient in, Urdu, Kashmiri and English, Dr. Fazili has presented papers at notable national and international conferences and published articles in various journals.

As a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, Dr. Fazili will try to elevate cultural awareness of India’s heritage through dynamic engagement. Employing innovative and interactive approaches, he hopes to introduce Urdu language and literature to students, fostering a vibrant classroom environment. His methodological blend will enhance learning, promote multilingual competencies, and encourage exploration of diverse languages and cultures.

Vaibhavi Chaturvedi

Vaibhavi Chaturvedi is a PhD candidate in English literature at the English and Foreign Languages University, Lucknow. Her research delves into the significance of culinary narratives, exploring how they serve as vital spaces for creative expression and cultural identity for women. Through her work, she aims to highlight the intersection of food, literature, and gender, revealing how culinary storytelling can empower women and provide insight into their lived experiences and societal roles.

Vaibhavi completed her master’s degree at Jamia Millia Islamia and her bachelor’s degree at the University of Delhi. She has been awarded the Junior Research Fellowship by the University Grants Commission of India. She has presented her research at numerous national and international conferences and has published papers in her field of study. With over two years of experience, she has taught English as a foreign language to young and adult learners from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. During her time as an intern with the Anubhuti Organization, she assisted in the development of a competency-based curriculum for students who had dropped out of primary schools.

As a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant, Vaibhavi will be teaching Hindi and Urdu at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC. She aims to promote cross-cultural understanding by integrating a range of cultural perspectives into her teaching. She is eager to participate in the program as it will enhance her ability to be a compassionate and culturally aware scholar and educator.

Tanusree Basak

Tanusree Basak is an ESL trainer and course instructor at Amal College of Advanced Studies, University of Calicut in Kerala. She has worked in academic publishing as an assistant editor. She completed her bachelor’s degree in English literature from Bharati College, University of Delhi, and her master’s degree in English literature from Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi with SVC rank 1st in the merit list. Simultaneously, she completed the three-year advanced diploma in French from the University of Delhi and continues her association with the language as a freelance French teacher. She is also a trained vocalist with specialization in Rabindrasangeet and Indian classical music. She participated in activities of the music society and the literary society, and in French plays at her university.

Tanusree has also presented papers at various national and international conferences and has published a paper in Intersections Journal. She has a few forthcoming book chapters and journal articles. She plans to pursue doctoral studies, and is broadly interested in discourses on modernism, psychoanalysis in literature, gender studies, cultural studies, and philosophy.

As a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant, Tanusree is teaching Hindi at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. She envisions the classroom as a medium to articulate individual experiences and sustain dialogues across differences. This opportunity to teach and to audit courses will enable her to expand her intellectual horizons on subjects pertinent to her broader academic interests, alongside acquiring innovative pedagogical practices. In her classes, students will get to engage in multi-faceted and vibrant language lessons. As a cultural ambassador, she strives to familiarize students with her country and culture through practical and tangible activities and experiences.