Considering that is very important for Colombian students and professionals to have a good level of a second language, ICETEX has developed projects to improve learning of English and French, and in the future, of other languages.

According to this idea, to improve the teaching level of the above mentioned languages in Colombia and of Spanish in England and France, ICETEX subscribed Agreements with British Council and French Embassy. Through those agreements both parties will offer places to Colombian teachers with degree in languages, who will work as Spanish assistants in Colleges and Universities of these countries. In the same way, British and French teachers will come to Colombia to work as assistants at Colombian academic institutions.

Additionally, ICETEX and West Indies University of Jamaica and Barbados, subscribed the same Agreement with the difference that only will come to Colombia English language assistants from this University, without the exchange possibility with Colombian citizens, considering that there are no places and it is only one university.

English and French assistants who have been selected, will have a courtesy visa, offered by Colombian Government, through Decree 2107 of October 8, 2001, Chapter 2 literal f., taking into account that it is an ICETEX official program.

For that reason, we invite educational institutions to participate in this program, which is usually published in April or May of each year. For this purpose, the interested institution will send a communication expressing that is willing to participate and will include the name and telephone of the person in charge of Language Department.


This information can be furthered to the following E-mails: extranjeros@icetex.gov.co or relaciones_internal@icetex.gov.co or Fax No. 3413244 of International Relations Deputy Direction of ICETEX, located at the address: Carrera 3ª. No. 18-32, Second Floor, Bogotá, D.C.
The academic institution will accept the following conditions:

1. Subscribe a Contract for Rendering Services with the assistant, for one academic year, from August, 2004 to May, 2005, according to the needs of the institution. This period must be continuous, including vacation time.

2. The assistants will work with the following intensity: French Assistants: 12 hours per week; English Assistants from England: 18 hours per week and 15 hours per week from Jamaica and Barbados assistants. According to the needs, the academic institution can increase the hours to work per week with ICETEX coordination, situation that must be of mutual agreement among the parties, and which will enlarge the value of the Contract with ICETEX coordination.

3. The payment for the assistant must be the equivalent to three (3) standing net minimal legal salaries per month. As of January, 2005, this value will be higher considering the minimal salary increase. The assistant cannot receive a minor amount of the established, for that reason and the salary will not be affected by any discount.

4. The payment will be done opportunely by the end of each month during the contract's period and until the end of it.

5. A representative from the academic institution must receive the assistant at the airport and make the arrangements to lodge him/her in a safe and comfortable place near the University.

6. The assistants medical insurance is provided by ICETEX.

7. The assistant does not require judicial certificate or disciplinary precedents certificate.

8. The assistant will pay the amount regarding the Foreignness Certificate.

9. If the assistant fails to fulfill any of the terms or conditions, the University will take actions, according to the contract regulation.

ICETEX will cover the assistant's medical insurance cost during his/her stay in Colombia and the expenses regarding: Reception at the airport, lodging, internal transport and board during the induction period in Bogota.

ICETEX is advancing negotiations with different Governments to subscribe language assistants agreements with other countries, like: Italy, Germany, Japan, China, Korea, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Canada and some USA universities.

To obtain information regarding visa requirements and Colombian Consulates and Embassies addresses abroad, visit the Website: www.minrelext.gov.co