International Teaching Assistants (ITAs)
New International Teaching Assistants (ITAs) at Vanderbilt University are evaluated at the end of August as part of the ITA Orientation. The evaluation process is designed to determine whether an ITA has the high level of communication skills needed to carry out their teaching responsibilities. Based on the outcome of the evaluation, ITAs may be placed into one of the following language courses.
Pronunciation for International Teaching Assistants
The English Language Center offers a semester-long course that focuses on the fundamentals of American English pronunciation. The purpose of this course is to help students modify their speech patterns to improve their speaking comprehensibility. Activities include work in the language lab and tape-recorded home assignments with individualized feedback.
Academic Speaking for International Teaching Assistants
The English Language Center offers a semester-long course designed to increase fluency, comprehensibility, and accuracy in speaking English while at the same time improving the student’s ability to understand conversational and academic English. This course covers the communication skills needed for effective teaching. The purpose of this course is to provide international teaching assistants (ITAs) with the skills needed to carry out teaching duties smoothly and effectively. ITAs will engage in class discussions and speaking activities.
The Teaching Practicum
The English Language Center and the Center for Teaching offer a semester-long course that offers ITAs a variety of practical means for improving their teaching. A combination of English language classes, practice teaching sessions, teaching workshops, classroom observations, and interviews with undergraduates, the Teaching Practicum gives ITAs the opportunity to learn more about teaching in the American classroom and to hone their teaching skills. Course objectives are: 1. to improve English language skills for classroom teaching; 2. to learn about best practices for instruction in the American classroom; 3. to become more aware of the expectations of undergraduates in lab and discussion contexts as well as during office hours; 4. to strengthen effectiveness at presenting information; and 5. to gain confidence about teaching at Vanderbilt.
For further information about course content, contact:
Jim Cracraft, Language Teaching Specialist
Email: jim.cracraft@vanderbilt.edu
For information about the International Teaching Assistant Program, contact:
Melissa Krasnove, Center for Teaching ITAP Coordinator
Email: melissa.s.krasnove@Vanderbilt.Edu
For information regarding Language Partner Positions, contact:
Chuan Lin, Language Partner Coordinator
Email: chuan.lin@vanderbilt.edu
For Language Partners Job Description, click here.