Teaching assistantships and English language skills

Queen's has a program to assist graduate students who, over the course of their studies at Queen's, will serve as teaching assistants.

The program offers specialized workshops as well as a diagnostic assessment for students who were required to take the TOEFL, IELTS, Michigan or other approved English proficiency tests for admission to Queen's University.

This is a mandatory assessment. It is not, however, a condition of acceptance into Queen's graduate programs. The diagnostic assessment will determine incoming graduate students' oral proficiency in English.

English Communication Assessment

The Senate document on Teaching Assistants stipulates that those international graduate students whose first language is not English are required to be assessed for oral proficiency in English before they can be assigned to a Teaching Assistantship other than marking.

This assessment is required for all international graduate students whose first language is not English, regardless of whether at the time of application to graduate school they submitted a TOEFL, Michigan or other approved written English language test.

The purpose of this assessment is to determine oral proficiency in English and whether the student is able to communicate effectively to perform the activities required as a Teaching Assistant. The assessment is performed by the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and consists of a:

• 10 minute informal oral interview
• 5-7 minute simulated teaching presentation
• Brief written assignment

Further information about the English Communication Assessment (ECA) can be found at the Centre for Teaching and Learning at Queen's.

Prior to the beginning of the Fall and Winter terms, the School of Graduate Students will determine and contact those new international graduate students that require this assessment. Students are responsible for contacting the Centre for Teaching and Learning directly to arrange a time for their assessment. The assessments are scheduled, previous to, and during the first week of classes in the Fall.

Students that require the assessment should not be assigned Teaching Assistant duties, other than marking, for their first term and/or until they have taken and successfully passed. Those students that are not successful must take and pass SGS 802: Communication Skills for Teaching Purposes before they can be assigned Teaching Assistant duties other than marking.

SGS 802: English Language Communication Skills for Teaching Purposes

This is a 12-week non-credit course designed for international graduate students and teaching fellows who are non-native speakers of English. SGS 802 focuses on two themes: providing students with opportunities to improve their language and communication skills within the context of their duties as Teaching Assistants and opening the door to understanding the culture, attitudes and assumptions that prevail in the Canadian university classroom. Insight into these assumptions and values will help International Teaching Assistants/Teaching Fellows be more effective in their interactions with students at Queen's.

In Fall 2009, classes will be held on Monday mornings from 9:00 - 12:00 (starting on September 21). In Winter 2010, classes will be held on Tuesday mornings from 9:00 - 12:00 (starting on January 19). All classes will be held in the Centre for Teaching and Learning. To register, contact the CTL. Please note that space is limited.

 

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