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Office of Graduate Studies

Institute for International Teaching Assistants

• Introduction
• Application
• English Proficiency
• Completion
• FAQ

ITA Institute: Frequently Asked Questions

Is the ITA Institute mandatory?

Yes. International graduate students, for whom English is not their native language, must successfully complete the ITA Institute and demonstrate before a panel of faculty and undergraduate students their ability to comprehend and convey the information necessary for them to be an effective teacher at UNL.

How is an ITA's eligibility for the Institute determined?

The SPEAK test score is used to determine whether or not an individual is eligible to enroll in the Institute for International Teaching Assistants. Eligibility for the Institute is determined by a score of 45 or higher on the SPEAK (Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit) or TSE (Test of Spoken English) and a department recommendation.

Students may take the TSE abroad. Contact ETS/TOEFL Testing Service for more information. Note: International students applying from abroad to the University of Nebraska and who wish to receive a teaching assistantship, may want to take the TSE in their home country.

What if an ITA does not meet the required score on the SPEAK Test?

Students who don't score a 45 or higher on the SPEAK Test must seek further language training and wait at least six months before they retake the exam.

How often is the ITA Institute offered?

The summer Institute is offered during the last week of July and the first two weeks of August.

How are the panel recommendations made?

To be considered for a teaching assignment by his/her department, an ITA candidate must be rated “ready to teach” by a panel consisting of three faculty members (one from the candidate’s department), an ESL rater, and an undergraduate student. Candidates who demonstrate spoken English proficiency and the ability to present a ten-minute “lesson” in a clear and organized fashion are judged ready for teaching assignment. A general rating system is used to determine whether the student is “ready” or “not ready.”

What if an ITA is not recommended by the final panel?

If a student is not recommended as “ready to teach” by the final panel, a department may file an appeal with the ITA coordinator and request an opportunity for the student to make a second panel presentation. However, if the department chooses not to file an appeal, the student must either seek further language training or get help with his or her teaching skills. The department should contact the ITA coordinator for more information.

When does a waiver apply?

Waivers (PDF) from attending the Institute can be granted by the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs if a student receives a 60 on the SPEAK Test or TSE and (a) has successful teaching experience at a U.S. college or university; (b) is enrolled in a college teaching-related, department-sponsored course that is equivalent to the Institute; OR (c) is a graduate of a U.S. high school and a U.S. university. A request for a waiver must be submitted in writing by the student’s academic department chair or graduate chair to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Does an ITA who is granted a waiver still have to make a final panel presentation?

Yes. The department should contact the ITA coordinator to make arrangements. Final panels are typically scheduled the second week of August.

What developmental support is available to new ITAs in their classroom assignments?

At the request of the department, an instructional consultant follows-up with new ITAs approximately five weeks after the semester begins. Classroom observations are conducted and student surveys used to provide the new ITA feedback on his or her language, teaching, and intercultural skills. One-on-one consultation focuses on the ITAs strengths and areas for improvement, identifying areas needed attention, and when appropriate, alternative teaching strategies.

Who determines an ITA's eligibility for employment?

Eligibility for employment as a teaching assistant is determined by Graduate Studies and the employing department after the international graduate student: (a) scores a 45 or higher on the SPEAK Test; (b) completes the ITA Institute or processes a Waiver; and (c) is recommended by a review panel of faculty and undergraduate students.

Who staffs the ITA Institute?

The ITA program, which generally enrolls 35-60 participants, is staffed by two full-time teaching skills instructors and two ESL instructors. Student assistants, one graduate and one undergraduate, help facilitate microteaching sessions and give feedback. Additional undergraduate students are recruited to serve as “classroom consultants” who give feedback to the ITA candidates.

Who sponsors the ITA Institute?

The summer ITA Institute is funded and administered by the Office of Graduate Studies.

What is the ITA Advisory Committee?

An advisory group established in 1991 oversees the policies and programs for international graduate students who wish to qualify for teaching assignments at UNL. This group includes representatives from Graduate Studies, Programs in English as a Second Language (PIESL), the departments of Chemistry, Computer Science and Engineering, and Mathematics and Statistics. Since 1995, the ITA Advisory Committee has revised the Institute waiver policy, restructured final evaluation panels, and set new scoring standards for the SPEAK Test.