International Teaching Assistants
The goal of the English Programs for International Teaching Assistants (ITAs) is to provide ITAs with the skills they need to be effective oral communicators in the classroom. The instructional focus is primarily on clear communication and pronunciation skills for the classroom.
Course
If a student is required to take an English course based on admission speaking test scores, and that student has been formally appointed as a TA, the department is responsible for the course fee. The department may not pass the cost of this instruction on to the student. Tuition assistance cannot be used for UMEI courses.
Clearance to Teach
At the end of the semester, ITAs are exempted from further language support and fully cleared to teach by successfully attaining a grade average of 75% in UMEI 006. Candidates who do not pass the course may take another semester of UMEI 006.
A Note to Departments
Appointed ITAs who have already achieved certain scores on the speaking subsections of the TOEFL or IELTS tests can now be cleared for teaching without needing to be tested by MEI. To be exempt from testing, the ITA must have achieved a score of 24 or higher on the Speaking sub-section of the TOEFL, or a score of 8.0 or higher on the Speaking sub-section of the IELTS, or a score of 80 or higher on the speaking subsection of the PTE.
Please complete the referral form to include the names of appointed ITAs who either meet the requirements for exemption from UMEI006 or needs permission to take the course. MEI will verify the ITAs’ test scores in their SIS records and enter the teaching clearance.