TEACHING ASSISTANTS

Students who wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department for the following academic year should submit the form Application for Teaching Assistantship and a current transcript to the Electrical Engineering receptionist by February 1st (see the Graduate School and Department Forms section). Hiring decisions for summer and academic year appointments are typically made in May. Hiring decisions are based on satisfactory performance and progress towards the de-gree, as described elsewhere in this handbook. Students who were admitted with a warning about limited departmental support have lowest priority in these decisions.

A. TIME LIMITS ON TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS

Teaching Assistantship support for Master’s degree candidates will not be provided beyond the second year of graduate study. Renewal of any ap-pointment is subject to satisfactory progress toward the degree, satisfactory performance in the assignment, and the availability of funds. Recent cutbacks in state funding have reduced the funding for teaching assistantships. As a result, the departments reserve the right to tighten these timing limitations as necessary. We do make a best effort to support students who have been receiving ongoing sup-port (this does not include students who were not promised any support or those who are hired temporarily to meet immediate needs) and who are meeting the timing and academic milestones of their programs.

B. INTERNATIONAL TEACHING ASSISTANTS

International Students must have passed the University of Minnesota SPEAK Test to be eligible to be a teaching assistant at the University of Minnesota.

1. THE SPEAK TEST

   The Center for Teaching and Learning Services uses the TSE or the SPEAK Test to assess the language proficiency of non-native speakers of English. For more information, visit the Educational Testing Service website http://www.toefl.org/abttse.html#tsetips. A schedule of examination dates may be found at the Center for Teaching and Learning Services website http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/teachlearn/int/gradFAQ.html.

2. ELIGIBILITY

   Graduate students who are non-native speakers of English are required to take the SPEAK test or the Test of Spoken English (TSE) in order to be eligible for employment as a teaching assistant. Graduate students should register for the first possible test date (individuals who are not admitted to the Graduate School may not register for the SPEAK test).

3. REGISTRATION

   Call the Center for Teaching and Learning Services (625-3041) or email teachlrn@tc.umn.edu with your name, department, University of Minnesota ID number, phone number and test date. If you have previously taken the SPEAK test, state previous dates. Call as soon as possible if you must cancel.

4. TEST DESCRIPTION

   The SPEAK Test measures the ability of non-native speakers to communicate orally in English. The test consists of 12 questions, each of which is intended to elicit a particular speech activity from examinees. These speech activities are based on language "functions" such as narrating, apologizing, persuading, recommending, and giving and supporting opinions.

5. PRACTICE SPEAK TEST

   A sample of the SPEAK Test can be picked up at the Center for Teaching and Learning Services or viewed at http://www.toefl.org/abttse.html#tsetips.

6. TEST PROCEDURES

   On the test day, examinees should bring a picture ID, a current U of MN fee statement or letter of acceptance, and a pen or pencil. Before the test begins, examinees are given time to study sample questions and review test directions. The test is recorded and timed on the computer in the Language Center audio tape lab. The lab can accommodate up to 20 people. Examinees listen to the test through headphones and speak into a microphone on their headset to record their responses. Once the test tape is started, it will not be stopped.

7. SCORES

   Test scores are available fifteen days after the test; scores are mailed to both the examinee and the department.

   Cleared to Teach -- Score of 55-60 : International students with a score of 55-60 are eligible to teach as a laboratory instructor or grader without any additional training by the Center for Teaching and Learning Services.

   Grader -- Score of 50 : International students with a score of 50 may have a teaching assistantship appointment as a grader without further instruction from the Center.

   Laboratory Instructor -- Score of 50 : Teaching assistants with a score of 50 who have a teaching assignment as a laboratory instructor must be supervised by the Center for Teaching and Learning Services and should register with the Center of Learning Services prior to beginning the appointment.

   Grader -- Score of 20-45 : Teaching assistants with a score of 20-45 may have an appointment as a grader but are required to register with the Center for Teaching and Learning Services for additional training in improving classroom communication skills.