Language Proficiency Requirements for Teaching Assistants

The University of Minnesota (University) requires high standards of English language proficiency for nonnative English speaking graduate students who are appointed to teaching assistant positions.

All nonnative English speaking Teaching Assistants (TAs) will demonstrate proficiency in spoken English appropriate to the demands of their teaching assistantship. Refer to Appendix A: English Language Proficiency Rating Scale for detail related to different teaching assistant responsibilities. Proficiency is assessed in one of three ways including the:

• SPEAK test (Spoken Proficiency in English Assessment Kit).
• TSE (Test of Spoken English).
• English Language Proficiency rating earned through coursework with the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL).

This requirement engenders continuing cooperation of each academic department in maintaining high standards of English language communication skills for all nonnative speakers of English who provide instruction on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus.

Provisions and Terms

Scope

This policy governs all TA appointments (9511, 9515, 9517, 9518, 9519, 9571, 9574, 9575) held by nonnative English speaking graduate students. Excluded from coverage under this policy are all other graduate assistant appointments.

Proficiency Requirements

Required scores for various levels of TA duties are as follows:

1. In order to be cleared for leading a recitation, discussion, or lab section of a course, students must attain an ELP rating of "1". These are students who have scored 55 or higher on the SPEAK or TSE or who have received an ELP rating of "1" on a teaching performance test. Students at this level are not required to take English communication coursework but are welcome to enroll in teaching enrichment workshops sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning.
2. Students with an ELP rating of "2" or "3" are also eligible for leading a recitation, discussion, or lab section, but they MUST enroll in English Communication Coursework concurrently with their teaching assignments. They are students who have either completed an initial semester of coursework with CTL and received an ELP "2" rating on a teaching performance test, or students who have attained a score of 50 on the SPEAK or TSE, equivalent to an ELP rating of "3". Students at the "2" or "3" ELP rating are cleared to hold office hours and grade papers without CTL enrollment.
3. Students with an ELP rating of "4" are also eligible to hold office hours and grade papers but they MUST enroll in Classroom Communication Coursework concurrently with their office and grading assignments. They are students who have either completed a semester of coursework with CTL and received an ELP "4" rating on a teaching performance test, or students who have attained a score of 45 on the SPEAK or TSE. Students at the "4" ELP rating are NOT yet eligible for classroom or lab duties.
4. Students with an ELP Rating of "5" are NOT yet eligible for any teaching assistant assignments. They are students who have attained a score of 20 to 40 on the SPEAK or TSE. These students are strongly encouraged to enroll with CTL for foundational study of English in order to prepare for future eligibility for duties.

Policy Exceptions

Any exceptions to the official language of this policy must be authorized by the Program Director for Initiatives for Nonnative Speakers of English at the Center for Teaching and Learning.

In support of high quality undergraduate education, the University requires of its nonnative speakers of English employed as TAs evidence of English language proficiency. This policy also serves as a response to a request from the Minnesota Legislature in their 1985 First Special Session Laws/ Chapter 11, Section 7 subdivision b.

• Registering for SPEAK Test

There are no forms for this policy.

Subject	Contact	Phone	Fax/Email
General Information or Procedural Assistance	Jeff Lindgren	612-625-3070	lindg027@umn.edu
Registration for the SPEAK test	Center for Teaching and Learning	612-625-3041	teachlrn@umn.edu

Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL)

CTL is a division of the Office of Human Resources.

Cleared

Eligible for teaching assistant duties without required enrollment in English communication coursework.

English Language Proficiency Rating (ELP Rating)

An assessment of a nonnative teaching assistant’s spoken English proficiency and eligibility for a teaching assistant assignment.

Nonnative speaker of English

A person for whom the primary language in the home during childhood was not English. Country of citizenship and language of elementary, secondary, or undergraduate education are NOT factors in this definition.

SPEAK

Spoken Proficiency in English Assessment Kit.

TSE

Test of Spoken English.

TA

Teaching Assistant.

Collegiate Director of Graduate Studies or Designee

• Inform potential graduate students/teaching assistants of English Language Proficiency policy upon offer of admission to graduate program;
• Inform potential graduate students/teaching assistants of any additional departmental expectations regarding assignments of TA duties;
• Schedule incoming graduate students for the SPEAK test and refer graduate students with SPEAK scores below 55 to CTL for English Communication Coursework;
• Refer to password protected WebReports for student eligibility before making TA assignments; and
• Contact CTL with any language-related questions, complaints, or requests for exceptions.

Center for Teaching and Learning

• Routinely arrange for SPEAK testing and make this information available to departments;
• Provide English communication coursework to meet the needs of prospective TAs;
• Evaluate effectiveness of programming;
• Administer proficiency tests at the end of each semester of coursework;
• Maintain records on eligibility of current and former students; and
• Communicate with departments each semester.

Nonnative English Speaking Prospective Teaching Assistants

• Register and take SPEAK test or provide official documentation of TSE score; and
• Enroll in and complete coursework with CTL as required.

• English Language Proficiency Rating Scale (PDF)

• Minnesota Statute (1985 First Special Session Laws/Chapter 11, Section 7, subd b)
• Appendix A: English Language Proficiency Rating Scale
• SPEAK Test Schedule
• A sample of the SPEAK Test can be picked up at the Center for Teaching and Learning. SPEAK Practice Test (available at the Center for Teaching and Learning and at the Language Resource Center in Walter Library)

• Language Proficiency Requirements for Teaching Assistants FAQ

• Administrative Policy: Academic Appointments with Teaching Functions
• Administrative Policy: Graduate Assistant Employment
• Academic Job Codes and Titles (Graduate Assistants section)
• Registration materials and information about the SPEAK test
• Information on classroom communication coursework and other services offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning
• Information on Graduate Writing Course for Nonnative speakers of English
• Minnesota Statute (1985 First Special Session Laws/Chapter 11, Section 7, subd b)
• A sample of the SPEAK Test can be picked up at the Center for Teaching and Learning. SPEAK Practice Test (available at the Center for Teaching and Learning and at the Language Resource Center in Walter Library)

Amended:

May 2008 - Policy converted to the new University-wide format for administrative policies.

Amended:

January 2003 - Title revised to: Language Proficiency for Teaching Assistants. Updated information was added and policy was reformatted.

Amended:

August 2000 - International Student SPEAK Test

Adopted:

January 2003 - Since 1983 the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus has offered a two-fold program of screening nonnative speakers of English to determine their eligibility for teaching and to prepare them for the classroom. In 1985 during its first special session, the Minnesota legislature drafted the following language in Chapter 11, section 7 of its Laws:

The university is requested to continue to ensure that classroom teaching assistants for whom English is a second language are proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English. The University is requested to report the actions it is taking on this matter to the legislature by January 15, 1986.

Two standard-setting Committees worked to determine the communication standards for the Twin Cities Campus. Members of one committee consisted of department chairs, directors of graduate studies, directors of undergraduate studies, and TA supervisors. Members of the second committee consisted of undergraduate students from various disciplines. The recommendations from these two standard-setting committees were forwarded to a decision-making committee. This committee consisted of the Vice-Provost for Undergraduate Education, the Vice President of Human Resources, and College Deans or their representatives. After reviewing the recommendations of the standard-setting committees, the decision-making committee set the score of 55 as the score necessary for clearance for TA assignment on the Twin Cities Campus.

Approximately 400 enrollees have participated in the program each year and coursework has served over 4,000 enrollees since its inception. Regular assessment of the program indicates that departmental satisfaction is high and that complaints from undergraduates are down.

Effective:

August 1984