Why must only ITAs have their language skills screened? Why not all TAs?
The purpose of the ITA screening is NOT to screen for teaching ability, but to screen for the types of English language abilities that will be needed by ITAs. Thus, we screen for the ability to present information, read, and interact extemporaneously with students. ITAs must demonstrate the level of language fluency and comprehensibility needed to insure quality undergraduate education.
The ITA screening is required by Kentucky State law (KRS 164.297) and University of Kentucky Administrative Regulations (AR II-1.0-9).
All non-native-English speakers are considered ITAs for the purposes of the screening. Residency and/or visa status are not relevant factors.
What does the ITA language screening decision have to do with the ITAs assignment in the department?
The decision determines the type of duties the ITA may perform:
What do the categories "conditional approval" or "non-approval" mean?
In addition to determining an ITA’s assignment, these categories mean that the ITA MUST be screened again at the end of the student's first semester. The orientation director will notify the educational unit by February 10 of the ITA's rescreening score. ITAs may work under the "conditional approval" category for a maximum of two semesters. A teaching assistantship cannot be offered for a second year unless the category "approved" (ratings: 3.0 up) is achieved on second screening.
How can ITAs boost their scores and/or general language skills?
Several resources are available at UK. The ITA may enroll in Eng 098, a course aimed at international teaching assistants, or in other programs offered through the Center for English as a Second Language and may participate in one or more of a number of ESL Conversational Groups available on campus. Available off campus are ESL courses and groups provided through Fayette County
The screening committee may make a recommendation or a requirement that an ITA participate in one or more of these resources.
What happens if the department wants to assign an ITA to a different teaching duty? Or if the ITA is being employed in a different department?
The ITA must be re-screened only if the new assignment requires a higher ranking than the one achieved by the ITA during the initial screening.
Who is on the ITA screening committee?
The committee is composed of a representative from the TA's academic department (frequently the Director of Graduate Studies), an English-as-a-Second Language specialist, and an undergraduate student at
What does the ITA screening look like?
The ITA screening has 4 parts (times are approximate):
The screening is videorecorded and kept on file for 2 years.
ITAs should prepare in advance for the teaching simulation. A whiteboard or blackboard will be available in the room. Transparencies, computers, and other multimedia cannot be used. Teaching simulations should be on discipline-specific content that the ITA is comfortable with and should be targeted to a general audience (100-200 level courses, not upper-level courses). All teaching simulations must be conducted in English.
Readings and role play background materials will be provided by the
How binding is this screening and the subsequent decisions?
The ITA language screenings fall under the "Policies on International Teaching Assistants" (AR II-1.0-9) and as such are binding for all departments. The current criteria were approved April 1996.
Why do Language ITAs (German, Spanish, Italian, etc.) have to be screened? Our courses are conducted entirely in that language, not English.
While the in-class portions of introductory courses may be conducted primarily or solely in the course language, ITAs must be able to effectively communicate with students in office hours, laboratory settings, and situations where students are having difficulties. For example, a student who is struggling in a language course and consults the TA as part of a decision whether or not to drop the class should be able to communicate effectively with the TA in English. Students who face personal crises that impact on the course (death of a family member, extended illness, etc.) must be able to communicate with their Teaching Assistants at a level that most likely surpasses the student’s fluency in the course language.
When is the ITA Language screening available?
ITAs are screened before the beginning of the Fall and Spring Semesters. The Fall screening usually takes place during the week before the semester begins. The Spring screening usually takes place during the week before the semester begins, although screenings may also be available near the end of the preceding Fall semester. ITAs should check with their department for screening times before making plane reservations or planning an arrival date.
Why can’t ITAs schedule themselves for the screening? Why does the department have to do the scheduling?
A department representative must be part of the committee for all screenings. When scheduling ITAs for a session, the department is making a commitment that a departmental representative will be available and present for that screening session.
Schedules are developed several months in advance. Again, ITAs should check with their department for screening times before making plane reservations or planning an arrival date.
I think I might want to serve as a TA in the future, but I don’t have a TA offer. Can I go through the screening? (Or, “Can I go through the screening without telling my department about it?”)
The ITA screening is a resource-intensive process. Only students who have been designated for screening by their departments may go through the screening. A department representative is part of the committee for all screenings, so you cannot go through the screening without departmental participation or knowledge.
When will students learn their score on the screening?
In general, students may find out their official scores from their department within 1-2 days of completing the screening. ITAs will not receive any direct notification from the Graduate School.
Departmental representatives may inform students of their unofficial scores at the screening. (Other members of the committee should provide no feedback to students on their scores.) If scores are provided, departmental representatives should emphasize that all scores are unofficial until the department has been informed of official scores by the Graduate School.
The Graduate School will provide official scores to departments as soon as possible after screening sessions. In most cases, official confirmation of scores will take place via e-mail within 24 hours of the screening.
Whom do I contact with questions?
Potential and current ITAs should contact their departmental office with discipline-specific questions or scheduling questions.
For scheduling, departments should contact Ms. Tonya Vance at tonya.vance@uky.edu or 257-4137. For policy and procedural questions, contact Dr. Morris Grubbs at morris.grubbs@uky.edu or 257-9725.
Direct questions to grad.webmaster@email.uky.edu
Last updated 22 June 2009