International Teaching Assistant Services

International Teaching Assistant Proficiency Test
Departments at the University of Idaho may request the American Language and Culture Program (ALCP) to test the English-speaking proficiency of international teaching assistants (ITAs). The evaluation will determine whether the student requires further language study before being granted a teaching assistantship.  In cases where the ITA is deemed to have insufficient English language proficiency, the ALCP, in coordination with the individual department, will recommend appropriate teaching duties and levels of autonomy that the ITA might have during his/her first semester teaching.  The final approval and assignment of duties, however, rests with the individual department. There is a $60.00 fee for ITA testing. Call (208) 885-5508 or e-mail alcp@uidaho.edu to schedule a testing session.

About the ITA Proficiency Test
If an international student is being considered for a teaching assistantship, and the department requires the student’s oral English language proficiency to be evaluated, the department and student may contact the ALCP to take the ITA Proficiency Test. The student should prepare a 10-15 minute academic lecture which explains a concept in the student’s area of expertise.  The student will present his/her lecture to the ALCP evaluators and a faculty member from the student’s department. The student may use a PowerPoint, visual aid, overhead or any materials to support his/her presentation. The student will be expected to answer questions from the evaluators on the content of the brief lecture. The student will also participate in a role-play activity dealing with a typical office hour interaction between a teaching assistant and a student. The ITA will be evaluated on his/her pronunciation, his/her ability to rephrase concepts, provide clear examples, demonstrate cultural awareness, and his/her overall presentation skills. The presentation will be filmed and kept on file for three years at the ALCP. If the student does not pass the ALCP ITA Proficiency Test, he/she may request to be retested in two months.

To register for an International Teaching Assistant Profiency Test, please complete the registration form and return to the International Programs Office.