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ITA Language Screenings

About

English language screenings are a way to assure that Teaching Assistants have the needed oral/aural English skills to present information and interact successfully with undergraduate students at the University of Kentucky. They do not assess teaching ability.
 

International TAs must demonstrate their oral/aural English skills in one of two ways: 

  1. Valid speaking sub-scores for TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic English, or Duolingo English exams that align with their TA duties, or

  2. Earning a score in the TA language screenings that aligns with their TA duties

     

TA Language Screenings are required of all international TAs, with two exceptions:

  1. International TAs who were exempt from taking an English language test for admission. This includes international students who earned a prior degree from the U.S., or who have a statement on their official transcript or an attestation letter sent directly from the registrar of the degree-granting institution confirming that English was the sole language of instruction for their degree.
  2. Valid TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic speaking, or Duolingo speaking sub-scores can be substituted for a language screening. Test scores are considered valid for up to two years prior to the first day of classes that a TA engages in TA-related duties.

Default Placements

Language Screening Category

TOEFL iBT

Speaking Sub-Score*

IELTS Academic

Speaking Sub-Score*

Duolingo

Speaking Sub-Score
Category I (3.5 or above) 25 - 30 8.0 - 9.0 150-160
Category II (3.0-3.49) 20 - 24 7.0 - 7.5 130-145

TA Language Screenings

ITA Language Screening -- General Tips for Success

Before the Screening Date: Technology

All screenings will occur via Zoom, so as soon as you are notified of your specific appointment time, think about the best place for you to participate in this screening.  You will need to have a reliable and stable internet connection.  Likewise, when selecting a screening location, be sure to avoid places that are loud or distracting as well as places that echo when you are speaking.  Test your computer as well.  (No cell phones please.)  Your computer will need a camera, microphone, and speakers.  Test the internet connection and your computer equipment several days before the screening to make sure that they work well.  
 

The Screening

The screening process will begin with an interview based on questions asked by the ESL specialist. Questions will be about general topics such as hobbies, travel, education, or your home country. These questions are designed to get you to talk, so talk a lot. Don’t limit your answers to short, one-word replies, but rather elaborate on your ideas with details and examples.

Tips

  1. Relax.

    During the interview, try to relax. This is an opportunity to warm up a bit as you prepare for the teaching simulation.
     
  2. Ask Questions.

    While the ESL specialist will be leading the conversation with questions, you should feel free to ask questions as well.  For example, if something the ESL specialist asked you was unclear or confusing, ask him/her to repeat or rephrase the question.  If the ESL representative mentions something of interest to you in the conversation, feel free to ask a follow-up question about it.
     
  3. Follow up on your answers.

    After finishing your answer, follow up to make sure that your answer was understood.  You may want to ask the individual, “Did that answer your question?” or “Did I understand your question correctly?”  Be prepared to give examples or to illustrate a concept if necessary.  Your highest priority should be to ensure that you are effectively communicating your ideas.

Questions?

Contact Chad Gilpin (chadwick.gilpin@uky.edu) in The Graduate School.

ITA Language Screening Frequently Asked Questions

Screening Participation

I might want to serve as a TA in the future, but I don’t have a TA offer. Can I go ahead and participate in a screening?  (Or, “Can I participate in the screening without telling my department about it?”)

The TA language screening is a resource-intensive process. Only students who have been designated for screening by their departments may participate in the screenings.  A department representative is part of the committee for all screenings, so students cannot be screened without departmental involvement.

Why must only International TAs have their language skills screened? Why not all TAs?

The purpose of the TA language screening is NOT to screen for teaching ability, but to screen for the types of English language abilities needed by TAs. Thus, we screen for the ability to present information and to interact with undergraduate students. TAs must demonstrate the level of English language fluency and comprehensibility needed to ensure quality undergraduate education.

The international TA screening is required by Kentucky State law (KRS 164.297) and University of Kentucky Administrative Regulations (AR 5.3). 

What happens if the department wants to assign a TA to a different teaching duty? Or if the TA is being employed in a different department?

TAs whose primary language is not English must screen (or rescreen) only if the new TA assignment requires a higher category placement than the one earned during a prior TA language screening or corresponding to their TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic speaking sub-score.

The department employing the TA is responsible for ensuring that the TA is registered for all relevant TA events, including orientation and TA language screenings, and for ensuring that the appropriate language proficiency requirements have been met by the TA.

Why do language TAs (German, Spanish, Italian, etc.) have to be screened?  Our courses are conducted entirely in the language being studied, not English.

TAs who teach foreign language classes must earn a minimum of Category II approval. While the in-class portions of introductory courses may be conducted primarily or solely in the course language, TAs must be able to effectively communicate with students in office hours, laboratory settings, and situations where students are having difficulties. For example, a student who is struggling in a language course and consults the TA as part of a decision whether or not to drop the class should be able to communicate effectively with the TA in English. Likewise, students who face personal crises that impact the course (death of a family member, extended illness, etc.) must be able to communicate with their TAs at a level that most likely surpasses the student’s fluency in the course language.
 
 

Scheduling Your Screening

How should TAs prepare for the language screening?

To prepare, TAs should ensure that they have the technology necessary to participate in the screening.  A laptop with a camera and audio is required, as well as a stable internet connection.  TAs should also familiarize themselves with Zoom. A Question & Answer session will be hosted by the Graduate Student Professional Enhancement office before the screening.  TAs who have not previously participated in a screening are strongly encouraged to attend this session on Zoom.

When do the TA language screenings occur?

TA are screened before the beginning of each Fall and Spring semester. These screenings typically occur mid-summer and early August for TAs beginning their appointments in Fall and in mid-December for those who will begin as TAs in Spring.  Once departments register their TAs for the language screenings, the TAs will receive an email with the screening date.  TAs will be notified of their precise screening time approximately 2 weeks in advance of their screening date. 
 

Why can’t TAs schedule themselves for the screening?  Why does the department have to do the scheduling?

A department representative must be part of the committee for all screenings. When scheduling TAs for a session, the department is committing that a departmental representative will be present for that screening session. Schedules are developed several weeks in advance.
 
 

After Your Screening / Scoring

What does the TA language screening decision have to do with the TA's assignment in the department?

The score determines the type of duties the TA may perform:
  • A rating of 3.5 or higher: a TA may have ANY assignment, including teaching a course as primary instructor
  • A rating of 3.0-3.49: recitation instructor or laboratory instructor who interacts with students, or a grader who makes subjective decisions about written work. The TA may NOT teach a course as primary instructor.
  • A rating of 1.5-2.9: a laboratory instructor who does NOT interact with students or a grader of solely objective texts. Status allowed for TWO semesters only.
  • A rating below 1.5: non-teaching duties only; to be funded by the department.
     

What do the categories "conditional approval" (i.e., 1.5-2.9) or "non-approval" (i.e., below 1.5) mean?

In addition to determining a TA’s assignment, these categories mean that the TA MUST enroll in the ESL class for TAs the first semester of their TAship and be screened again at the end of the student's first semester. TAs may work under the "conditional approval" category for a maximum of two semesters. A teaching assistantship cannot be offered for a second year unless the category "approved" (i.e., 3.0 and above) is achieved on the second screening.

 

How binding is the screening and the subsequent decisions?

The TA language screenings fall under the "Policies on International Teaching Assistants" (AR 5.3) and as such are binding for all departments. The current criteria were approved January 2019.
 

What if there is a problem with technology during the language screening?

TA language screenings occur via Zoom, so a strong, reliable internet connection is imperative for all participants.  TAs will also need a computer with a camera, microphone, and speakers.  Phones and tablets present problems with limited visibility and screen sharing, so they should not be used.  

TAs should be certain that their screening location is quiet and free of distractions. TAs should also test their equipment several days before the screening to ensure that everything is working correctly and the audio quality is good (loud enough, no echo, etc.) TAs are also encouraged to practice sharing their screens on Zoom before the testing date.  

If a tech-related problem occurs during the screening, a committee member will describe the problem in the screening report.  TA language screening administrators will review the notes and recording to determine if the technology has significantly impeded the screening.  A second screening may be scheduled if testing administrators determine that technology challenges prevented the committee from getting a sufficient language sample during the initial screening.  TAs can deliver the same lesson during this second screening.
 

How can TAs whose primary language is not English improve their scores and/or general language skills?

TAs whose primary language is not English may enroll in ESL speaking/listening courses, specifically ESL 090 and/or ENG 098, courses designed for international teaching assistants, or in other programs offered through the Center for English as a Second Language. They may also participate in ESL Conversation Groups in the community. ESL classes and conversation groups available off campus are often provided through the Lexington Public Library, the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning, and Bluegrass Community and Technical College.  (Other local programs may also be available.) Departments should take an active role in helping TAs for whom English is not the primary language gain a professional level of linguistic competency. 

The screening committee may make a recommendation or a requirement that a TA engage with one or more of these resources. 
 
 

Whom do I contact with questions?

Potential and current TAs should contact their departmental office with program-specific or scheduling questions. 

Please make sure you have thoroughly reviewed all of the above information before contacting Chad Gilpin with questions at chadwick.gilpin@uky.edu (859-257-4137).

The Screening Committee

  • A UK undergraduate student representative
  • A departmental representative (often the Director of Graduate Studies or department chair)
  • An English as a Second Language (ESL) specialist

The Screening Process

Language screenings occur remotely via Zoom and are recorded.
  • For Zoom screenings, participants will need to have access to a computer with a camera, microphone, and reliable internet connection.
  • TAs will be asked to show a photo ID at the beginning of their screening.
  • Because the screenings assess a TA’s aural and oral skills, closed captioning cannot be used unless special permission has been granted by UK’s Disability Resource Center and the Graduate Student Professional Enhancement office in advance of the screening.  TAs requesting permission to use closed captioning should communicate this need to their DGS a minimum of one week before the screening.
 
The screening consists of a 10-12 minute interview. The screening will consist of two parts:
  • The committee members will conduct a short interview with the TA. This will consist of basic, get-to-know-you questions.
  • The TA will briefly discuss something about their major, field, or discipline that an undergraduate should learn. The committee members will ask follow-up questions of the TA.
The TA does not need to prepare a formal presentation or any slides for this. 
 

Ratings and Approval

Each committee member rates the TA’s communication skills separately.


 

Rating scale

  • 4 – completely comprehensible, NO impediments to communication
  • 3 – generally comprehensible, MINOR impediments to communication
  • 2 – partially comprehensible, MAJOR impediments to communication
  • 1 – not comprehensible

 

After the screening is complete, members’ scores are combined, and the median score is used to calculate the overall score. The Graduate School will provide official scores to departments as soon as possible after screening sessions. In most cases, these official scores will be emailed within 24-48 hours of the screening. Departments should forward the official screening results to their TAs immediately after receiving them.Unofficial or preliminary scores should not be shared by departmental representatives. If a TA has not received an email containing their official screening score, the TA should contact the Director of Graduate Studies for their department.  TAs will not receive any direct notification of results from the Graduate School. 

 

Rating Categories

Category Score Range Approved for
Category I 3.5 and above TA types 1,2,3,4 (all instructional activites)
Category II 3.0-3.49 TA types 3 and 4 (recitation or laboratory instructor, grading)
Conditional Approval 1.5-2.99 Type 4 ("non-interactive" lab assistants or graders for objective tests)
Non-Approval Below 1.5 Only non-teaching duties, must be funded by department

 

A TA earning a Conditional Approval or Non-Approval rating must enroll in the ITA course the first semester of serving as a TA. TAs may work under the "Conditional Approval" category for a maximum of two semesters and must be re-screened at the end of their first semester. They may not circumvent these requirements by switching departments.
 
To be eligible for Teaching Assistantship funding through The Graduate School, a TA earning a Non-Approval rating must be re-screened at the end of the first semester and earn at least a rating of Conditional Approval.
  
If a TA’s teaching assignment changes, they must be re-screened if the new assignment requires a higher category placement than the one earned during a prior TA language screening.
 
These measures protect:
  • TAs whose primary language is not English from the stresses and frustrations of being in inappropriate teaching situations, as well as from students who might blame the TAs' language skills for their difficulties in class.
  • Departments by decreasing student complaints about instruction and documenting language proficiency, by providing a neutral evaluation of language skills not subject to departmental issues and pressures, and by sending the message to TAs and undergraduates that spoken English language skills and undergraduate instruction are important.
  • Undergraduate students by assuring an appropriate level of spoken English language skills in instruction/grading, and by providing TAs whose primary language is not English with resources and support for improving their language skills as well as developing their pedagogy skills to account for any language difficulties.  

 

TOEFL iBT / IELTS Academic Placements and TA Language Screenings fall under:

  • KY state law (KRS 164.297)
  • UK's "Policies on International Teaching Assistants" (AR 5.3)

 

Resources for Improving Spoken English Skills

Important Information
Phone 859-257-4613
Address 502 Administration Drive

University of Kentucky Graduate School
Ezra Gillis Building
502 Administration Drive
Lexington, KY 40506-0033
859-257-4613

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