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Language Proficiency Requirements for Nonnative English Speaking Teaching Assistants

Table of Contents

• Policy Statement
• Reason For Policy
• Who Should Know This Policy?
• Related Information
• Contacts
• Official Language
• History
• Exclusions
• Definitions
• Responsibilities
• Procedures
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Forms
• Appendices

Policy Statement

All nonnative English speaking Teaching Assistants (TAs) must demonstrate proficiency in spoken English appropriate to the demands of their teaching assistantship. This proficiency will be assessed by:

1. The SPEAK test (Spoken Proficiency in English Assessment Kit);
2. The TSE (Test of Spoken English); or
3. An English Language Proficiency rating earned through coursework with the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Reason for Policy

1. To comply with a request from the Minnesota Legislature in their 1985 First Special Session Laws/ Chapter 11, Section 7 subdivision b;
2. To promote high quality undergraduate education for University of Minnesota Twin Cities students; and
3. To insure the continuing cooperation of each academic department in maintaining high standards of English language communication skills for all nonnative speakers of English who provide instruction on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus.

Who Should Know This Policy

• President
• Provost
• Vice President
• Dean of Graduate School
• Chairs/Heads of Departments
• Faculty
• Directors of Graduate Study
• Directors of Undergraduate Study
• Teaching Assistant Supervisors
• Administrative Designees of Academic Departments
• Manager of Graduate Assistant Employment
• Center for Teaching and Learning Staff

Related Information

1. Registration materials and information about the SPEAK test
2. Information on classroom communication coursework and other services offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning
3. Other policies related to graduate assistants.
4. Information on Graduate Writing Course for Nonnative speakers of English.
5. Minnesota State Statute language

Contacts

1. For questions contact the Program Director for Initiatives for Nonnative Speakers of English at 612-625-3885.
2. To register for the SPEAK test contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at 612-625-3041 or teachlrn@tc.umn.edu.

Official Language

All nonnative English speaking Teaching Assistants must demonstrate proficiency in spoken English appropriate to the demands of their teaching assistantship. This proficiency will be assessed by 1) the Spoken Proficiency in English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) test; 2) the Test of Spoken English (TSE); or 3) an English Language Proficiency (ELP) rating earned through coursework with the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL).

Required scores for various levels of Teaching Assistant duties are as follows:

In order to be cleared for leading a recitation, discussion, or lab section of a course, students must attain an ELP rating of "1". These are students who have scored 55 or higher on the SPEAK or TSE or who have received an ELP rating of "1" on a teaching performance test. Students at this level are not required to take English communication coursework but are welcome to enroll in teaching enrichment workshops sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Students with an ELP rating of "2" or "3" are also eligible for leading a recitation, discussion or lab section, but they MUST enroll in English Communication Coursework concurrently with their teaching assignments. They are students who have either completed an initial semester of coursework with CTL and received an ELP "2" rating on a teaching performance test, or students who have attained a score of 50 on the SPEAK or TSE, equivalent to an ELP rating of "3".

Students at the "2" or "3" ELP rating are cleared to hold office hours and grade papers without CTL enrollment.

Students with an ELP rating of "4" are also eligible to hold office hours and grade papers but they MUST enroll in Classroom Communication Coursework concurrently with their office and grading assignments. They are students who have either completed a semester of coursework with CTL and received an ELP "4" rating on a teaching performance test, or students who have attained a score of 45 on the SPEAK or TSE.

Students at the "4" ELP rating are NOT yet eligible for classroom or lab duties.

Students with an ELP Rating of "5" are NOT yet eligible for any teaching assistant assignments. They are students who have attained a score of 20 to 40 on the SPEAK or TSE. These students are strongly encouraged to enroll with CTL for foundational study of English in order to prepare for future eligibility for duties.

History

Since 1983 the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus has offered a two-fold program of screening nonnative speakers of English to determine their eligibility for teaching and to prepare them for the classroom. In 1985 during its first special session, the Minnesota legislature drafted the following language in Chapter 11, section 7 of its Laws:

The university is requested to continue to ensure that classroom teaching assistants for whom English is a second language are proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English. The University is requested to report the actions it is taking on this matter to the legislature by January 15, 1986.

Two standard-setting Committees worked to determine the communication standards for the Twin Cities Campus. Members of one committee consisted of department chairs, directors of graduate studies, directors of undergraduate studies and TA supervisors. Members of the second committee consisted of undergraduate students from various disciplines. The recommendations from these two standard-setting committees were forwarded to a decision-making committee. This committee consisted of the Vice-Provost for Undergraduate Education, the Vice President of Human Resources, and College Deans or their representatives. After reviewing the recommendations of the standard-setting committees, the decision making committee set the score of 55 as the score necessary for clearance for TA assignment on the Twin Cities Campus.

Approximately 400 enrollees have participated in the program each year and coursework has served over 4000 enrollees since its inception. Regular assessment of the program indicates that departmental satisfaction is high and that complaints from undergraduates are down.

Supercedes previous policy information: Amended August 15, 2000: International Student SPEAK Test

The Language Proficiency Requirements for Nonnative English Speaking Teaching Assistants policy is reviewed annually and amended as needed.

Exclusions

Any exceptions to the official language of this policy must be authorized by the Program Director for Initiatives for Nonnative Speakers of English at the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Definitions

Responsibilities

Director of Graduate Studies or Designee:

• Inform potential graduate student of policy;
• Refer students for testing;
• Make TA assignments in accordance with policy; and
• Contact CTL with any language-related student complaints or to discuss any possible exceptions to the policy.

Center for Teaching and Learning:

• Contract for SPEAK testing;
• Provide English communication coursework;
• Administer and evaluate teaching performance tests; and
• Maintain records of student eligibility ratings.

Nonnative English Speaking Prospective Teaching Assistants:

• Register and take SPEAK test or provide official documentation of TSE score; and
• Enroll in and complete coursework with CTL as required.

Procedures

Director of Graduate Studies or Designee:

• Inform potential graduate students/teaching assistants of English Language Proficiency policy upon offer of admission to graduate program.
• Inform potential graduate students/teaching assistants of any additional departmental expectations regarding assignments of TA duties;
• Refer graduate students to CTL to register for SPEAK test and refer graduate students with SPEAK scores below 55 to CTL for English Communication Coursework ;
• Refer to password protected WebReports for student eligibility before making TA assignments; and
• Contact CTL with any language-related questions, complaints or requests for exceptions.

Center for Teaching and Learning:

• Routinely arrange for SPEAK testing and make this information available to departments;
• Provide English communication coursework to meet the needs of prospective TAs;
• Evaluate effectiveness of programming;
• Administer proficiency tests at the end of each semester of coursework;
• Maintain records on eligibility of current and former students; and
• Communicate with departments each semester.

Frequently Asked Questions

Forms

Registration forms are available online.

Appendices

• Minnesota Statute (1985 First Special Session Laws/Chapter 11, Section 7, subd b)
• Eligibility Chart
• SPEAK Test Schedule
• SPEAK Practice Test (available at the Center for Teaching and Learning and at the Language Resource Center in Walter Library)