L&S Spoken-English Proficiency for Teaching Assistants: Policies and Procedures

Non-Native English Speakers as Teaching Assistants in L&S

UW System policy requires that non-native English speakers demonstrate proficiency in spoken English before they are assigned classroom duties as teaching assistants.

It is incumbent on departments to ensure that all potential non-native English speaking TAs have the requisite skills in English to be effective teachers. We recognize and value the contribution that International Teaching Assistants (ITAs) make to our College, and policies here are not intended to be punitive, but rather are necessary to demonstrate publicly that departments within the College of Letters & Science take seriously the issue of spoken English proficiency among TAs, and that we do an effective job of overseeing their selection and performance.

Each department is required to have procedures in place for ensuring that TAs have demonstrated appropriate proficiency in spoken English.

• The offer of a guarantee of long-term support as a TA to a non-native English speaking student should be made contingent on demonstration of the requisite level of spoken English proficiency.

• Departments may utilize the following mechanisms to demonstrate spoken English proficiency by potential TAs: 
• A satisfactory score on the SPEAK test (see below for more details)
• A score of 26/30 or higher on the speaking section of the iBt TOEFL test
• A score of 8.0 or higher on the speaking section of the IELTS 
• Satisfactory performance on an alternative assessment method established by the department (extensive interviews, panels, delivery of a lecture, assessments by staff or alumni who may be in the applicant's geographical area, recordings, on-site interviews, mock teaching sessions, etc.)
• Note that if a department establishes an alternative method for determine eligibility for TA assignments, it must submit to the Dean’s Office detailed information about the English proficiency of each non-native English speaking TA.

• Departments are required to have a system, publicized to students, for complaints concerning TA performance.

• Graduate students who do not demonstrate English proficiency are not permitted to perform instructional duties that require spoken English. Any problems in this area should be brought to the attention of L&S administration without delay (contact Lynne Prost, lprost@wisc.edu). 

SPEAK Test Guidelines

• Students with a score greater than or equal to 50 may teach with no further English language testing requirements.
• Students with a score of 45 can perform instructional duties that require spoken English only if also enrolled in a program to improve English skills.
• Students with a score lower than 45 cannot perform instructional duties that require spoken English.

The ESL Program administers the SPEAK Test on a regular basis. Please note that the SPEAK test can only be taken once in any three-month period. 

See Also:

• L&S Student Assistant Appointment Letters