International Teaching Assistants & Assistant Instructors

In 1989, the 71st Texas Legislature passed House Bill 638 requiring that all public universities provide a program or short course to ensure that courses be taught clearly in the English language. In order to comply, the Center for Teaching Effectiveness conducts an English Certification Program for international TA's and AI's.  

To be eligible for a TA or AI appointment with student contact, non-native English speakers must receive English Certification, which entails passing the Oral English Assessment, and completing the half-day ITA Workshop offered just prior to the start of each semester. (Note the Oral English Assessment is different from and in addition to the English Screening.)

To begin the ITA/AI certification process, the student should:

1. Ask your graduate coordinator or advisor of your employing department to register you in the online ITA Program database.
2. Make an appointment for the Oral English Assessment online. A limited number of dates are avaiilable.
3. Attend the ITA Workshop, offered each semester on the Wednesday prior to the first day of class.

For additional information (including options for those who fail the assessment or receive a conditional pass) contact: http://ita.cte.utexas.edu.

updated: 12/07