International Teaching Assistant (ITA) Links

 

 
 

For information about English language testing, training, and support for ITAs at Washington University in St. Louis, see the ITA pages on the web site of WUSTL’s English Language Program.


TESOL ITA Interest Section
  
This web site contains information on model programs to train and support ITAs as well as links to ITA programs at universities across the country.


Encountering Language Problems
This page gives tips for ITAs on how to deal with problems communicating with their students (SPEAK/TEACH Program, Iowa State University). See also the page on Cultural Differences .


Improving the Conversational English of International Teaching Assistants  
This page lists characteristics of successful TAs and ITAs, tips for becoming more fluent in English, advice for ITAs from ITAs, and ideas for how professors can help their international graduate students (University of Texas at Austin)


Intercultural Know-How  
Advice for U.S. students being taught by ITAs (University of Texas at Austin) 


ITA Discourse Within the Disciplines
This site contains transcripts of ITAs teaching courses in a variety of academic fields, including chemistry, economics, mathematics, and more. The site says, "This research can then be used to train ITAs in effective discipline-specific classroom communication by providing examples of successful communication, highlighting common nonnative speaker communication breakdowns, and by suggesting strategies for repairing communication breakdowns" (Project sponsored by TESOL)


ITA Guidebook

Resource to accompany ITA training (Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Southern California). Some of the information is specific to USC, but the guidebook also offers advice applicable to an ITA in any U.S. university

 


The Teaching Center at Washington University in St. Louis  
On our very own campus, TAs and faculty can find support through workshops, individual consultations, and an online collection of handouts on teaching strategies.



Teaching Nuggets

Resource to accompany ITA training (Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Southern California). The information is not specific to the situation of ITAs, but is useful for anyone who is new to teaching

 


Teaching Styles  
Contrasts the teaching styles preferred in the U.S. and the teaching styles often preferred in other countries (EduPASS


Training Focused on Postgraduate Teaching Assistants: the North American Model
(Karron G. Lewis, University of Texas at Austin)    


   


Karen Schwelle
Instructor, English Language Programs
Washington University
Campus Box 1083
One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO  63130
kschwell@artsci.wustl.edu