English Language Proficiency Procedure for Graduate Teaching Assistants
14.3. English Language Proficiency Procedure for Teaching Assistants
To be eligible for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA), applicants must meet higher English language test score minimums. View GTA score minimums for TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo in the table below.
GTAs may be grader-only or in-class teaching assistants. In-class teaching assistants are involved in lectures, labs, or tutoring.
Grader-only assistants have no direct contact with students and may serve one calendar year before completing one of the following requirements:
Option 1: Meeting the English language test score minimums listed below
Option 2: Satisfactorily completing LANG 701 English Language and Classroom Skills for International GTAs and one of the following courses:
- LANG 606 Oral English Language Strategies and Skills for Presentation or
- LANG 702 English Language Tutorial for International GTAs or
- LANG 704 Language Strategies For Literature Reviews) and
- Successfully complete Mock Teaching Exam designed in coordination with their department
Test Score Requirements
Total Score
| Grader | Teaching Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL ibT | 4 (new) 79 (old) | 4.5 (new) 81 (old) |
| IELTS | 6.5 | 7 |
| Duolingo | 110 | 115 |
| PTE Academic | 53 | 54 |
Speaking
| Grader | Teaching Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL ibT | 3.5 (new) 19 (old) | 4.5 (new) 23 (old) |
| IELTS | 5.5 | 6 |
| Duolingo | 105 | 115 |
| PTE Academic | 51 | 62 |
Writing
| Grader | Teaching Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL ibT | 4.5 (new) 21 (old) | 4.5 (new) 21 (old) |
| IELTS | 6 | 6 |
| Duolingo | 125 | 125 |
| PTE Academic | 56 | 56 |
Evaluation of Graduate Teaching Assistants
All in-class GTA are evaluated during the third week of the first semester of their appointment. While the format may be determined by individual units, the evaluation must be documented and it must address the comprehensive English proficiency of the teaching assistant, including speaking and listening ability, commensurate with assigned duties. A copy of the evaluation instrument and the results for each teaching assistant shall be made available to the Graduate Dean upon request.