Mission
The International Teaching Assistant Program’s (ITAP) mission is to empower international graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to achieve their academic and career goals through cultural and communicative support. This includes fulfilling linguistic requirements for teaching assistants and graduate instructors.
Services
ITAP offers many services to assess and develop communication skills and provide cultural development as a basis for a rewarding and enriching experience at Mizzou. These include:
Language Determination
Because all international students are unique in their linguistic background and experiences, the University of Missouri does not base native language determination on students’ home countries listed on their admissions application or where they attended school as a child and young adult.
If you are a lifelong primary speaker of English and may meet the requirements of the Missouri statute and University policy for a TA/GI appointment at Mizzou, please complete the Native Language(s) Determination Form to provide us more information about your linguistic background. Please note: If you applied for admission after August 1, 2022, information for this form was collected during the admissions process. Once reviewed, you will receive a notification from the ITAP coordinator. If you meet the requirements, you will need to participate in GTO before you are a Teaching Assistant or Graduate Instructor.
Oral Language Assessment
As stated in Missouri statute 170.012 and University policy, every non-native speaker of English must have sufficient oral-English proficiency before taking on a teaching position. Teaching assistants who have no direct contact with students (e.g., responsible only for grading assignments) are not required to complete the language proficiency assessment. It is recommended that departments schedule assessments for candidates as soon as possible so appointment decisions can be made in a timely fashion. These assessments can be completed prior to enrollment, but after a student has been formally admitted, or postdoctoral scholar start date (e.g., during a campus visit, summer).
ITAP provides on-line assessment called the MACCS (Mizzou’s Assessment of Classroom Communication Skills.) To ensure a positive testing experience, a virtual orientation to the assessment is required. In addition, students will be given resources to prepare for the assessment and a practice test when they are enrolled for testing. If computer and internet access are limited, please contact ITAP.
The MACCS is given each month and additional dates are provided at the end of each semester. In addition, ITAP will work with academic departments to expedite testing when necessary.
Assessment Alternatives for Students
(1) TOEFL iBT or IELTS speaking scores less than 2 years old can be substituted for a language assessment.
TOEFL (IELTS) Speaking Score | ITAP Proficiency Level | TA/GI Responsibilities | ITAP Course Recommended |
28-30 (8.5, 9) | 4 | Graduate Instructor | N/A |
26-27 (8.0) | 3 | Recitation, Discussion, or Advanced Lab Leader | GRAD 8300 |
24-25 (7.5) | 2 | Laboratory Assistant | GRAD 8200 |
23 (7.0) | 1.5 | Laboratory Assistant | GRAD 8100 |
The department needs to contact ITAP about the student to be exempted and ITAP will confirm their scores through MyZou. Please note: this is an exemption of the language assessment only; it does not exempt an incoming student with a teaching assistantship or graduate instructor responsibilities from participating in the required orientation.
(2) This path is designed for TAs who have already taught at ITAP Language Level 3 in an undergraduate, for-credit class for an entire semester (in roles such as leading recitations, discussion sections, or studio classes) and whose program or department is seeking Level 4 status for the TA to teach independently as a Graduate Instructor. The goal of this path is to allow students to have their English language communicative skills assessed in a more natural, intuitive environment (i.e., their own classroom with undergraduate students present).
Applicants will submit the Alternative Path Application and a video with high quality audio of them leading an entire class session (at least 45 minutes). There should be multiple examples of prepared and spontaneous speech (e.g., answering questions from students) and it should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to provide clear explanations and ideas that are supported with data and course content. The evaluation tool uses the same rubric and external evaluators as the MACCS test. The application and related documentation should be sent directly to the ITAP Coordinator.
Oral English Language Development
ITAP encourages all non-native English speaking graduate students to practice English speaking and listening skills with peers, faculty, and MU undergraduates through informal conversation, academic activities and more intensive programs and classes.
Because language skills improve best through the consistent, focused effort of the classroom experience, the ITAP program offers three courses with a focus on classroom communicative skills. These courses open to all international graduate students who want to improve their oral communication and presentation skills, have TA/GI responsibilities, and are preparing for future professional activities. Students interested in enrolling in an ITAP course must complete the ITAP application and return it to the ITAP office.
- GRAD 8100: Graduate and Professional Communication Strategies for Global English Speakers-I. This class focuses on the development of complete clauses and sentences that incorporate linguistic strategies for clearer articulation with more effortless language production. It provides strategies for effective oral explanations of concepts, procedures, and methods for reinforcing/organizing ideas. This course is appropriate for ITAP level 1.5 (formerly 2P) students wishing to concurrently hold office hours or lead a basic laboratory. It is also appropriate for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who wish to improve their language skills. This course is listed as zero credit hours for the purposes of billing; however, the workload is equivalent to a 3 credit course. Consult your advisor and/or international center about recommended number of hours to take in addition to this class. Graded on S/U basis only. Please complete this Course Request Form.
- GRAD 8200: Graduate and Professional Communication Strategies for Global English Speakers-II. This class emphasizes development of rhythm and pitch in oral communication, and compensation strategies to increase Global English efficacy when exchanging messages between listeners and speakers. It provides information on student-centered learning, teacher engagement, and overview of learning objectives in the context of creating a teaching presentation. It explains the process of facilitating discussion in the classroom and the mechanics of language for Global English Speakers during discussions. This course is appropriate for ITAP level 2 students wishing to improve their communicative skills to take on TA positions to lead recitations, discussion or review sessions, or studio classes. It is also appropriate for others seeking to improve fluency and ease of interaction for professional development. Please complete this Course Request Form.
- GRAD 8300: Graduate and Professional Communication Strategies for Global English Speakers-III This class focuses on the development of extended speech including phrasing, mood, and complex grammatical structures. It provides strategies to tailor speech to specific audiences including varying structure, vocabulary, grammar, and tone to engage, structure, interact, and inform. It includes strategies to identify and navigate difficult situations in the classroom. This course is appropriate for ITAP level 2.5 (formerly 3P) students wishing to concurrently lead recitations, discussions, reviews, or studio classes. It is also appropriate for graduate students/postdoctoral scholars who wish to improve their interpersonal communication and interactive presentation skills for professional development. This course is listed as zero credit hours for the purposes of billing; however, the workload is equivalent to a 3 credit course. Consult your advisor and/or international center about recommended number of hours to take in addition to this class. Graded on S/U basis only. Please complete this Course Request Form.
All courses will appear on students’ transcripts. No tuition is assessed for these courses. Although these courses are listed in MyZou as zero credit hours, the workload is equivalent to a 3 credit course and should be considered as part of a student’s academic training and responsibilities.
There are also a wide variety of language-development opportunities at Mizzou, including through the Center for English Language Learning, and in the larger Columbia community.
Graduate Teaching Orientation (GTO) for Teaching Assistants & Graduate Instructors
GTO takes place during the week prior the start of any regular semester. This orientation is required for all graduate students before the first semester of teaching or assisting with teaching at MU.
Residency Requirement Waiver
Waiving the residency requirement
Missouri law and University policy require that international teaching assistants (ITAs) meet language and teaching orientation requirements in order to teach at the University of Missouri. International graduate students are restricted from a teaching appointment during their first semester of enrollment at an accredited public college or university in the state of Missouri. Under certain conditions the chancellor can waive the residency requirement. ITAP can request a waiver from the chancellor on behalf of an ITA.
Waivers are not automatically granted and they are given only under the following conditions:
- The international student received a language assessment and has strong language skills for the type of teaching assignment they are receiving.
- The international student attended Graduate Teaching Orientation (GTO) prior to the beginning of the semester they are to start teaching.
- Representatives of the hiring academic department have provided evidence of the ITAs experience with the U.S. postsecondary classroom.
In order to be considered for a waiver, the student must complete testing and the program must submit the waiver request at least four weeks prior to the start of the semester.
Hiring Department Responsibilities
Hiring departments and programs interested in having international graduate students teach or assist with instruction are responsible for the following:
- Ensuring the student completed a language assessment through the ITAP program and that the results are appropriate for the duties of the position
- Ensuring the student has completed GTO before they take on their duties
- Ensuring the student does not teach or assist with instruction in their first semester at Mizzou without an approved waiver
- Strongly encouraging the student’s ongoing professional development activities, such as enrolling in ITAP courses.