• Frequently Asked Questions
• Understanding and Learning from International Students

Here are some of the questions that students commonly ask about working with teaching assistants:

• What is the ITA Program?
• What is the role of teaching assistants at the University of Washington?
• What kind of preparation do teaching assistants get for their teaching responsibilities?
• What is the role of international teaching assistants?
• What additional preparation do international TAs get for their teaching responsibilities?
• What are some strategies that can make it easier to interact with a nonnative speaker of English?
• How can I resolve classroom-related difficulties?
• How does the ITA Program communicate with our department about the work our TAs do as part of the program?
• How is the ITA Program related to CIDR?

Other Questions? Contact: ITA@cidr.washington.edu

This article presents some of the cultural differences and challenges international students face at U.S. universities, many of which are also issues faced by international TAs. Chapter Eight of Diversity in the College Classroom (1998), published by The Center for Teaching and Learning, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

FIUTS is a community non-profit organization to enhance international understanding and promote cultural exchanges between UW internationals and Americans. It has become a place to meet people from around the world as well as from the local community, and to come together in establishing links of friendship and communication.