Requirements for International Graduate Students

To be appointed as a Teaching Assistant, international graduate students from most countries are required to demonstrate proficiency in spoken English (see below for exceptions). International TAs from all countries are required to participate in the International TA Program at CIDR during their first year of teaching at UW.

• Demonstrating Proficiency in Spoken English
• Participating in the International TA Program

Demonstrating Proficiency in Spoken English

Spoken English proficiency can be demonstrated by taking either the Test of Spoken English (TSE), administered by the Educational Testing Service, or the SPEAK, administered by the University of Washington. International graduate students whose Spoken English proficiency test results do not meet University of Washington requirements can also demonstrate proficiency by passing English 102 (an ESL course for international teaching assistants) before being assigned teaching duties.

Most international graduate students who will be TAs during fall quarter should plan to take the SPEAK before the TA Conference. However, it is NOT necessary to take the SPEAK before the TA Conference if:

• you have received a score of 26 or higher on the TOEFLiBT, or
• you have received a score of 55 or higher on the Educational Testing Service TSE, or
• you have received a score of 230 or higher on the University of Washington SPEAK, or
• you have already passed ENGL 102 at the University of Washington, or
• you are a citizen of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom.

All other international graduate students should plan to take the SPEAK test before the TA conference. The SPEAK test is free the first time, and $35 thereafter.

Registering for the SPEAK Test

The SPEAK test is offered each month at the University of Washington and an additional session will be offered on the afternoon of Thursday, September 11. To register for the September 11 SPEAK test session, send an email to oeatests@u.washington.edu. Include the testing date (September 11), your name, UW student number (if known), and UW department. Please also indicate if you have taken the SPEAK test previously at UW. After your message has been processed, you will receive a reply from the Office of Educational Assessment confirming your SPEAK test time.

Optional SPEAK Overview Session

Students who plan to take the SPEAK on September 11 may also attend an optional SPEAK Overview Session on Wednesday, September 10, at 3:00 p.m. The Overview Session will allow you to see the format of the test, learn how it is scored, and review a sample test booklet. To register for this optional Overview Session, send a message to ita@cidr.washington.edu.

If you are not able to take the September 11 SPEAK test, please see the SPEAK Test Information Sheet at the Office of Educational Assessment to find out about other testing dates and how to register for one of those dates (which is different than the registration process described above).

Participating in the International TA Program

International students are also required to participate in the International Teaching Assistant (ITA) Program during their first year of teaching at UW. The ITA Program consists of two workshops at the TA Conference on the afternoon of September 16, and individual consultations on teaching during your first year as a TA. Both the workshops and the consultations focus on helping you in your role as an instructor, and address such topics as teaching methods, education in the U.S., and communicating effectively with your students in the classroom.

When you register for TA Conference workshops, you are required to sign up for ITA Program workshops on September 16:

• Getting to Know UW Students: Overview for International TAs (1:15)
• Panel Discussion with Experienced International TAs (2:45)

Select workshops at other times according to your department recommendations and your own interest. All other workshops offered on the afternoon of September 16 are offered at other times on September 16 or 17, so if you would like to register for a workshop that meets at the same time as the ITA Program workshops, please review the Conference Program to find other times at which those workshops are offered.

For more information about the ITA Program, visit the ITA Program web site. If you have questions, you can call CIDR at 206-543-6588, or send a message to ita@cidr.washington.edu.

TA Conference Links

• TA Conference Home
• Conference Program
• Workshop Descriptions
• Department Recommendations
• Resource Fair
• Conference Registration
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Information for Departments
• Information for Facilitators
• Call for Workshops
• Contact CIDR

Related Links

• TA Conference Home
• Conference Program
• Workshop Descriptions
• Department Recommendations
• Resource Fair
• Conference Registration
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Information for Departments
• Information for Facilitators
• Call for Workshops
• Contact CIDR

The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities.

To request disability accommodation contact the Disability Services Office at least ten days in advance at: 206.543.6450/V, 206.543.6452/TTY, 206.685.7264 (FAX), or e-mail at dso@u.washington.edu

CIDR
Center for Instructional Development and Research
100 Gerberding Hall, Box 351265
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-1265

206.543.6588 (phone)
206.685.1213 (fax)

e-mail: TAConference@cidr.washington.edu
web: http://depts.washington.edu/cidrweb/TAConference/

© 2008 Center for Instructional Development and Research