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Teaching Assistantships
PAY AND DUTIES
Teaching Assistants are paid approximately $1,450 per month for each of the nine months of
the academic year. (This sum is paid in halves, on the tenth and the twenty-fifth days of
the month, from October 10 to June 25.) Teaching Assistants are exempted from paying
University tuition charges but are required to pay approximately $230 tuition per quarter
after the exemptions. Teaching Assistants are expected to carry a minimum study program of
ten applicable credit hours each quarter.
Teaching Assistants' principal service to the University is to teach, under the
supervision of a faculty member, one elementary language class of about 24 students, meeting
five hours each week. Teaching Assistants are given instruction at the beginning of the year and other
advice and assistance as needed. Supervisors and Teaching Assistants meet periodically for discussion
of relevant problems. Teaching Assistants' duties, including class preparation, correction of papers
and quizzes, office hours, and meetings, amount to an average of twenty hours each week, to a maximum
of 220 hours per quarter.
ELIGIBILITY AND RENEWAL
Eligibility for appointment is dependent on admission to the Graduate School and
acceptability to the division as a teacher of Spanish. Within the limits of our financial
possibility and subject to certain conditions (the most important of which are maintaining
satisfactory progress toward a degree and demonstrating competence as classroom teachers),
Teaching Assistants holding regular appointments will be reappointed annually for the full
term of their eligibility (six quarters for M.A. students).
TRAINING
All newly appointed Teaching Assistants attend a ten-day training program that prepares them
for their teaching assignments. New and returning appointees must be present for the
required planning and training period, and will be notified in writing of the date when that
training begins (usually about September 16). Training will include lectures by the faculty,
filmed and live demonstrations of college language courses, practice readings, and the preparation of
teaching and testing materials. Additionally, international students are required to attend the
International Teaching Assistant (ITA) program which covers cross-cultural communication, teaching
strategies, and second language practice.
PEDAGOGY COURSEWORK
All teaching assistants are required to register in SPAN 510 (5 credits) in autumn quarter
of the first year of their appointment.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Teaching Assistants are eligible for the benefits provided by the Graduate Appointee
Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Program (GAIP) designed for University of Washington
academic student employees and their dependents. The program is underwritten by the
MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company (MEGA) and administered by Welfare and Pension
Administration Service, Inc. (WPAS). The program provides full payment of student
only coverage and a portion of the dependent coverage cost. A plan book with a full
description of the specific benefits is linked to the GAIP website.
APPLICATION
Return the completed Assistantship and Fellowship Application form along with the
graduate application materials required by the Division of Spanish & Portuguese
Studies as early as possible. To insure consideration for a Teaching Assistant
appointment for the academic year beginning next fall quarter, see that your
application reaches us at the address below by December 15, 2009. Mail forms and documents
to:
Academic Counselor
Spanish and Portuguese Studies
University of Washington
Box 354360
Seattle, WA 98195-4360
If you have applied to a graduate program in another department but wish to be
considered for a Teaching Assistantship in the Division of Spanish and Portuguese
Studies, please see the Application Requirements for Out of Department Teaching
Assistants.
Admission to the Graduate School is a necessary condition for every appointment to a
Teaching Assistanship. This matter should be attended to with care and dispatch, since
the University places limits on enrollment. The Graduate School informs applicants
directly of their admission decisions. International students should submit their
Application for Admission to the Graduate School at their earliest opportunity,
preferably by November 1 of the fall before desired admission.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
International students who are not native speakers of English must take the TOEFL (Test of
English as a Foreign Language) or TOEFLiBT or the Michigan Test and score at least the UW
Graduate School's minimum to be considered for admission or for a Teaching Assistantship.
Most applicants will take the TOEFLiBT. If you are considering applying, please register for
the test right away. Note that international teaching assistant applicants must demonstrate
a higher minimum speaking score than the score required for admission, either on the speaking
part of the TOEFLiBT or on the TSE or SPEAK.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AWARDS
The Chair of the Division of Spanish and Portuguese Studies will notify applicants by May 1
of the Department's action on their applications. Written acceptance of positions offered
is required for a Teaching Assistantship to be considered official.
SALARY WITHHOLDING INFORMATION
Income taxes will be withheld from your salary at graduated rates based on the W-4 form that
you file.
UNION REPRESENTATION
Your appointment classifies you as an Academic Student Employee (ASE) and is governed by a
contract between the UW and GSEAC/UAW. You will be offered an opportunity to join GSEAC/UAW
and, as a member, you will pay dues each pay period. If you should choose not to become a
member, the contract requires that you pay a monthly service fee.
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See
also…
Overview
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
Former Academic Requirements
Fellowships
M.A. Reading List
GO-MAP
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