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Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants

Each year, we host six to ten Fulbright language attaching assistants, also known as FLTAs, from all over the world. The FLTAs work hard all year to fill many roles: they are graduate students, language instructors, event planners, tutors, and more. Most importantly, they are a cornerstone of the CSLC team. Our FLTAs do most of their work on Notre Dame campus, but we partner with local K12 schools in the city to share our FLTAs' knowledge and expertise with non-ND students.

For the last several years, the CSLC has collaborated with Nuner Fine Arts Academy, a K-5 school in the South Bend Community School Corporation, to pair elementary school teachers with an FLTA for weekly language and culture lessons. Our objective is not linguistic gains for these young learners, but to encourage curiosity about the world's languages and cultures through exposure, practice, art, and fun!

FLTA-led Events

If you are interested in a community partnership or collaborative project with our FLTAs, please reach out to Mary Davis (mdavis35@nd.edu).

2026-2027 Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants

  • Nazgul Kadyrova

    Nazgul Kadyrova

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    Nazgul Kadyrova

    Nazgul Kadyrova

    Russian (Kyrgyzstan)

    Nazgul is from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. She works as a program specialist at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, where she coordinates educational projects and events. She also teaches English online to children and facilitates a Children's Rights Book and Cinema Club as part of a broader children's rights project that encourages young people to explore human rights through literature, films, and discussion.

    Outside of work, Nazgul enjoys reading, traveling, and photography. Capturing people, places, and everyday moments through her camera is one of her favorite creative hobbies.
  • Kate Lawlor

    Kate Lawlor

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    Kate Lawlor

    Kate Lawlor

    Irish (Ireland)

    Kate is from Gorey, County Wexford and graduated with a BA in Irish & Irish Folklore in 2025 from University College Dublin, where is currently undertaking a Masters in Scríobh agus Cumarsáid na Gaeilge. Kate has been working as an Irish tutor to undergraduate students in both grammar and conversation classes while completing her Master's degree.

    With a passion for the Irish language and Traditional Music, Kate has held positions on the committees of both An Cumann Gaelach, and UCD TradSoc. She was also elected to the executive of UCD Student’s Union in the position of Oifigeach na Gaeilge. A current player with Dublin’s first Irish language GAA club, Na Gaeil Óga, Kate is an avid Gaelic football and camogie player, as well as a passionate musician.

    Kate is looking forward to sharing her love for the Irish language and culture in her position as an Irish FLTA at The University of Notre Dame.
  • Ester Oliveira

    Ester Oliveira

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    Ester Oliveira

    Ester Oliveira

    Portuguese (Brazil)

    Ester Oliveira is from Belém, Brazil. She holds a degree in English Language and Literature from the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) and is currently pursuing a specialization at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). She has experience teaching English to learners of different ages and is excited to share Brazilian culture with the Notre Dame community. Outside of teaching, Ester enjoys literature and adaptations, going to the movies, working out, exploring nature, and spending time with friends.
  • Ella Plakhotna

    Ella Plakhotna

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    Ella Plakhotna

    Ella Plakhotna

    Ukrainian (Ukraine)

    Ella graduated from the Artes Liberales: Philology program at Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. Her professional background is in communications, with experience working for an NGO focused on protecting the Carpathian forests. Ella also researches and practices Ukrainian traditions, with a particular interest in singing. During her time in the U.S., she hopes to explore Native American studies and learn more about the American education system.
  • Paula Radnitz

    Paula Radnitz

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    Paula Radnitz

    Paula Radnitz

    German (Germany)

    Paula is a master's student at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt in Bavaria, Germany. Her research interests focus on literary memory studies and cultural and literary animal studies. She is especially looking forward to gaining insights into new subject areas and, above all, to discovering a new side of her native language by teaching this year at at Notre Dame.
  • Tien-Yun "Sharon" Yeh

    Tien-Yun "Sharon" Yeh

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    Tien-Yun "Sharon" Yeh

    Tien-Yun "Sharon" Yeh

    Mandarin Chinese (Taiwan)

    Sharon is from Taitung, a stunning coastal town on the beautiful island of Taiwan. She is passionate about Chinese language pedagogy and intercultural communication. For her, it is genuinely fulfilling to guide students through the nuances of Mandarin and watch their confidence grow. At Notre Dame, I am eager to advance my teaching practice, support students on their language-learning journeys, and foster vibrant cultural exchanges across campus.

    Beyond the classroom, she holds a bachelor’s degree in food science. Cooking and baking are two of her greatest passions, and she cannot wait to share the authentic flavors and warmth of Taiwanese cuisine with the ND community!