ITA Developmental English
Are you looking for skilled teachers who will get to know you and help you succeed? If so, the ELI is what you need! Our teachers are all highly-qualified and ready to go the extra mile for you. Our helpful staff is ready to help make your transition to the U.S. a smooth one!
Effective Communication for International Teaching Assistants
Become the teacher you’ve always wanted to be!
Strengthen your pronunciation!
Effective Communication for International Teaching Assistants is a 10-week course which focuses on improving the individual’s English speaking ability and providing the graduate teaching assistant (GTA) with insights about instructing classes in a manner that is culturally appropriate for American university students.
- Improve your pronunciation
- Prepare for conference presentations
- Improve your teaching skills
- Fulfill UTA’s teaching assistant language requirements
For more information contact:
Lisa Yabuki
Senior Office Assistant
University Hall 502
817-272-2730
Program Features
| For Date of Next Class | Contact Lisa at eliadmissions@uta.edu |
| Duration: | 10 weeks |
| Cost: | $925 ($975 after 06/03/2020) |
| Materials: | Carnegie Speech Software (cost is included in tuition) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the policies for the class and registration?
Registration for DE/ITA English is available online. Once the online form is complete and the payment has been submitted, the student will have a seat in the class.
16 seats are available in each section. The policies and procedures for the DE/ITA English course for International teaching assistants are listed below:
1. Meeting Times and Sections:
Classes will be held at set days and times each week, typically 2 hours on Mon/Wed, or 2 hours on Tues/Thurs, for 10 weeks with an additional two-hour teaching lab once a week for 8 weeks.
If an additional section is needed, its time will be announced the first day of classes.
2. Attendance policy:
The attendance policy allows or a maximum of five (5) hours of absence from class (including lab time) during any course.
Students who do not attend class regularly make little improvement, if any, in their spoken English.
Students exceeding the number of hours may be dropped from DE/ITA English.
3. Tuition and Software:
Tuition and Software is $925.
This includes a $50 non-refundable processing fee.
4. Students who drop the DE/ITA English course will be given refunds according to the following schedule:
| TIME OF DROP | REFUNDED |
| Prior to 1st day of class | $875 |
| During 1st, 2nd, & 3rd class day | $550 |
| During the 4th class day (up to 5 p.m.) | $350 |
| After 5 p.m. on the 4th class day | No refund |
What is the refund policy?
Tuition and software is $925.00. This includes a $50.00 non-refundable processing fee.
Students who drop the Developmental English/ITA course will be given refunds according to the following schedule:
| TIME OF DROP | REFUNDED |
| Prior to 1st day of class | $875 |
| During 1st, 2nd & 3rd class day | $550 |
| During the 4th class day (up to 5 p.m.) | $350 |
| After 5 p.m. on the 4th class day | No refund |
Who should take this course?
Any international student who wants to improve his/her oral presentation skills may take this course. However, the course is designed primarily for international graduate teaching assistants who must improve their speaking and presentation skills to meet the communication requirements of their assistantship. Most graduate departments accept a passing score in this course from students who have not passed the iBT TOEFL speaking section or IELTS. Students should take the iBT TOEFL speaking section or IELTS before registering for this course.
What is covered in this course?
The course covers the following communication components:
- Accent- reduction features such as the pronunciation of individual sounds, word stress, rhythm, intonation, and phrasing.
- A linear teaching model with a beginning, middle, and end to each lesson or demonstration.
- Classroom management strategies that include how to engage a class more effectively by involving its members in questions and general participation.
- Application of classroom instruction during a weekly 2 -hour lab. For each lab, students will present up to an 8 minute lesson in the subject area to which they will be assigned as a GTA, and the presentations will be videotaped. The DE/ITA English instructor will confer with the student to explain where improvement is needed and how students can accomplish change in their presentation and speaking skills.
Note: Students enrolled in DE/ITA English will have access to the Language Acquisition Center and pronunciation software in the ELI computer lab.
How are students tested?
Class attendance is monitored. Students missing in excess of 5 hours of class or lab may be dismissed from the course. Students record and submit 7 videotaped practice-teaching lessons, plus their final teaching lesson. The final video includes an 8-minute teaching lesson and an individual interview with the class instructor. Final videos are scored by at least 2 raters.
How do students know if they passed the course?
Students will be informed of whether or not they passed the final video via e-mail from their instructor or the DE/ITA Coordinator. If students have been notified that they have passed the course, they can pick up a copy of their release letter at University Hall 502, during ELI office hours. Any students who do not reach an acceptable proficiency level in 10 weeks may enroll in the course again the following semester.
When are the classes held?
Classes usually begin 3 or 4 weeks after regular UTA classes begin (except during summer semester) and last 10 weeks. Students attend classes four hours per week, Monday through Thursday, plus a 2-hour teaching lab once each week.
What materials are needed?
Students will not need to purchase any materials. The following are included in your registration fee.
- Video Recording Equipment
- Access to Native Accent Software by Carnegie Speech
- Lesson Materials
- Computer Lab Pronunciation Software
