International Teaching Assistants Program

What is the Seminar about?

As an international graduate student at Simon Fraser University, you may have a high level of proficiency in standard formal English but still encounter other communication problems on campus. These problems may be perceived as language-related but sometimes it's just a lack of understanding of the society, the culture, the attitudes and assumptions that prevail in the classroom and throughout the university.

The International Teaching Assistants (ITA) Seminar will help you with spoken English as well as its social and cultural context, and will allow you to practise skills that will help you be a better TA.

International graduate students who expect to become Teaching Assistants should enrol in this program as early in their graduate program as possible in order to gain the greatest benefits. Homework is an essential part of the course structure and includes talking to and interviewing Canadian English speakers, listening to the radio, watching TV, and reading newspapers.

We have a 10-week Intensive Seminar that is free and open to all new and current SFU grad students in all disciplines. Registration is required.

The ITA Seminar courses focus on two themes

  • Improved ability to use and understand spoken North American English, particularly colloquial and idiomatic usage. Activities include group and individual work in class and may include individual tutoring when more intensive help is appropriate or desired
  • Increased general communication and comprehension skills in the context of the duties and responsibilities of a Teaching Assistant

Classroom activities are designed to improve

  • skills in formal presentations and in leading and participating in tutorial style group discussions
  • understanding of academic culture in Canada and undergraduate students' backgrounds and expectations
  • understanding of North American life, society and culture through the analysis of authentic language and cultural materials including those presented by various news media and popular culture sources

Register now

 

Join our mailing list

Subscribe to our ita-info email list for information on upcoming programs. Just send an email to ita@sfu.ca with your request.

Former participants generally feel that the Seminar improved their ability and confidence in speaking and understanding Canadian English and fit them for the role of a Teaching Assistant at Simon Fraser. They also feel the Seminar gave them the skills to continue learning outside the classroom.

Their comments include:

"We learned a lot from this course. I hope to continue to use any chance to improve my English."

"I learned much that is not possible from the usual textbook."

“This seminar was a great platform [for an international student] to understand and cope with the new acadmic settings and culture. This really gives a good transition to start at TAship in North American context. Group discussions, video presentation, video recording and augmentation of presentation skills are awesome!”

"Did you know that I am a TA now? I'm dealing with real people and--surprise--I'm not scared at all (as I supposed I would be)."


Quick Links