International Teaching Assistants (ITAs)

Spring 2012

International Teaching Assistant (ITA) Assessment

Date: Time: BY APPOINTMENT ONLY (Sign Up Here)

Location:  VU ELC 1208 18th Ave South

ITAs at Vanderbilt University may be evaluated for English Language proficiency at the request of their departments or by self-selection.  ITAs may be assessed throughout their time at VU depending on how their role as ITAs and department needs may change.  The evaluation process is designed to determine whether an ITA has the high level of communication skills needed to carry out TA responsibilities.

ITAs or departments may complete the ITA Assessment sign up form:

ITA SIGNUP FORM 

Based on the outcome of the evaluation, ITAs may be placed into one of the following language courses:

Pronunciation

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

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 ITAs with the skills needed to carry out teaching duties smoothly and effectively. ITAs will engage in class discussions and speaking activities. 

• ITA Language Resources

All international graduate students who will (or might) serve as teaching assistants (TAs) should do the following:

1.        Complete the international TA online orientation prior to arriving at Vanderbilt.

2.        Speak with your department to determine if you need to schedule a Language Assessment with the English Language Center.

3.        Attend Teaching Assistant Orientation during the year in which they will assume teaching duties at Vanderbilt.

International graduate students interested in workshops or other resources to learn about best practices for instruction in the American classroom can email Stacey Kizer (stacey.kizer@Vanderbilt.Edu). More information can be found online at: http://cft.vanderbilt.edu/ita.  

Directors of Graduate Study and other departmental representatives can also contact the CFT for more information on resources for international teaching assistants or to schedule a meeting to discuss specialized needs.