The English Language (EL) Specialist Program recruits United States academics in the fields of TEFL/TESL and Applied Linguistics for short-term (two to four weeks) assignments abroad. Specialists work on well-defined assignments that are identified by U.S. Embassies overseas. These assignments may include curriculum projects, teacher training seminars, textbook development, English for Specific Purposes, and program evaluation. In many cases, Embassy officials will suggest a candidate; if not, the Office of English Language Programs recruits a specialist. In some cases, specialists located in the United States consult with institutions abroad through a teleconference or a digital video conference.