Work with a small group of international TAs in training. Either 5 or 10 times throughout the semester depending on the level of engagement you choose.
Through ESL 911, a course for prospective international TAs, Classroom Consultants assist graduate students as they prepare to teach (TA) in a new language and culture.
There are two types of Classroom Consultants: CC-5s who visit the class only 5 times throughout the semester, and CC-10s, who visit weekly, or 10 times throughout the semester.
CC-5s
Provide audience and feedback for international TAs' "Teaching demonstrations" four times throughout the semester and act as students for one "Mock Office Hours" event. Learn about TAs' field of study while interacting, observing, and giving feedback about the lesson.
Time Commitment for CC-5s
- 1.5 hours for Mock Office Hours Event
- 2 hours per week for 4 Teaching Demo Events
CC-10s
Participate in Teaching Demos, Mock Office Hours, just as CC-5s do, but in addition, visit the class (for the final hour) in the weeks between, helping with classroom activities during the final hour of class. With this weekly position, volunteers and international students really get to know one another.
Time Commitment for CC-10s
- 1 hour per week for 5 regular class weeks
- 1.5 hours for Mock Office Hours Event
- 2 hours per week for 4 Teaching Demo Events
Requirement for this position:
English does NOT need to be your first language in order to volunteer as a Classroom Consultant. For our other volunteer positions, we require advanced to superior proficiency in American English language and culture. The position of Classroom Consultant, however, is also open to those newer to the language and culture.
Thanks to the class consultants! I learned a lot from the communications with them. This is a window to the undergraduate life of UVA and American culture. I also appreciate the comments and suggestions during the demos and their participation of the office hour simulation. ~C.Z., Prospective International TA
The volunteers were always there and being supportive, giving great advice and encouraging the class. I received great feed backs from them which I believe I could use in my future experience of interacting with students. It has become a very unique part of the EL911 course that brought interaction into the content which made the lecture not only more fun but more effective. ~X.W. Prospective International TA
I've worked with a close group of 5 international participants and I have been really impressed with the dedication and spirit I have seen...it has been a real pleasure interacting with such enthusiastic participants throughout. I'm really proud to be part of this group, and have realized how hard it is for international students with language barriers, but none the less, each and every student participated in such a way that this language barrier was blurred into the background of things. I really enjoyed the TA office hour session, the grace and creativity of the TA's in responding to funny situations was noticed by all. To sum up, this has been a great experience in learning that there are always two side to a coin, and I look forward to being a part of this program next year too. ~S.C., Classroom Consultant
This experience is meant to help further the learning of international TAs, but I have learned so much from the experience. I now have a good understanding of the factors that make a good teaching presentation and I've learned a lot about a wide variety of topics. Also, I've met some very interesting people and learned about differences among cultures, in particular in academia. Thank you to all the ITAs who recognize me in passing and exchange a familiar smile - I hope to see you more and have the opportunity to further our conversations. ~C.M., Classroom Consultant