Information for Teaching Assistants

Pre-semester Programs for Preparing TAs
Graduate Academy for College Teaching
Graduate Symposium on Grading & Office Hours

Teaching Certificate Program
CTE has developed several new teaching certificates to meet the professional development needs and interests of faculty and TAs. For an overview of the new certificates, see our flyer Which Certificate is Best for You?


• Certificate in Foundations of Teaching
• Graduate Teacher Certificate
• Teacher Scholar Certificate
• Certificate in Technology-Enhanced Teaching
• Citizen Scholar Certificate
• Teaching Certificate Supporting Materials



Instructional Workshops, Seminars, Lectures, and Reading Groups
Teaching Workshops

Graduate Courses on College Teaching
EOL 585: College Teaching and Academic Careers

Individual Consultation Services
CTE offers one-on-one consultations and class observations for campus instructors. Consultation topics can include student evaluations, course design, teaching techniques, and observation feedback. For more information or to set up an appointment with an educational specialist, call CTE at 333-3370.

Informal Early Feedback (IEF)
Campus Resource Locator for Teaching-Related Questions
Information about Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Instructional Materials and Resources

Policy Regarding the Appointment of Non-native English Speaking TAs
In order to be in compliance with campus policy and Illinois state law, all non-native speakers of English (regardless of whether or not they have American citizenship) are required to take and to pass a test of oral English proficiency to qualify to teach at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Oral English Proficiency Testing

Prospective International Teaching Assistants are encouraged to demonstrate oral English proficiency prior to arriving on campus. The University will accept scores from the following tests: Test of Spoken English (TSE), Internet Based TOEFL (iBT), and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). In addition, the University of Illinois administers the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) on campus. All four tests can fulfill the proficiency requirement.

The following chart provides minimum score requirements for international students to be considered for teaching assistantships*
 

*Please note: TOEFL or IELTS scores must be less than two years old from the first day of class at the proposed term of entry in order to be valid. In addition, individual academic programs may require a higher score; contact your proposed program of study office for the minimum TOEFL, TSE, or IELTS requirement.


SPEAK Test
SPEAK Practice Test
SPEAK Test Procedures
SPEAK Dates


SPEAK Appeals
SPEAK Appeals FAQ
SPEAK Appeals Procedures
SPEAK Appeals Dates

Resources for Improving Oral English

The Division of English as an International Language (DEIL) offers two English as a Second Language (ESL) courses designed to help ITAs and prospective ITAs develop their oral English and teaching skills.

ESL Courses FAQ
ESL 504: English Pronunciation for ITAs
ESL 506: Oral Communications for ITAs

Suggestions for Developing Classroom Communications Skills

Illini Instructor Series--International Teaching Assistants: Communication Strategies

Last updated August 7, 2008