Center for American English Language & Culture - Services

P.O. Box 400161 Charlottesville, VA 22904-4161

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ESL/EFL Teacher Training Opportunities at U.Va.

SERVICES
Assessment | Courses | Tutors | Writing Center | Accent Modification | International Teaching Assistants

Assessment
The CAELC administers the University of Virginia English Language Proficiency Exam at the beginning of each semester and by appointment throughout the year. The exam is used to determine the general adequacy of English language skills for various academic purposes. Any recommendations for further language study are based on the results of the exam. In the case of a student, results and recommendations are forwarded to the student's advisor and dean as well as to the student. CAELC staff administer the exam to faculty and visiting scholars for whom English is a second language by appointment. An appointment for assessment can be made by contacting the CAELC at 924-6166.

The University of Virginia English Language Proficiency Exam consists of three parts: a grammar and vocabulary test, an essay, and a brief interview. The exam usually requires about ninety minutes. Results and recommendations are available within forty-eight hours.

Spring 2002
Prospective International Teaching Assistants
SPEAK Test: May 1 and May 2, 2002
Contact Elizabeth Wittner via email at ew3p@virginia.edu to register.

Summer 2002
University of Virginia English Language Proficiency Exam: By appointment. Contact Dudley Doane at 434/924 6166 (djd4j@virginia.edu).

Fall Semester 2002
Prospective International Teaching Assistants
SPEAK Test: August 19 and August 20, 2002
For more information on the SPEAK test and test times, contact CAELC at caelc@virginia.edu.

Incoming International Graduate Students
University of Virginia English Language Proficiency Exam
Sunday August 25, 2002
9:30 a.m.
130 Gilmer Hall

Courses - Spring Semester 2002

Courses for Undergraduate Students

ENWR 107 - Academic Writing Studio - (1)(S) - multiple sections - Spring 2002
ENWR 107 provides students individualized instruction to supplement first-year writing classes, concentrating on sentence-level stylistic and grammatical issues not covered intensively in ENWR 105, 106, 110, or 210. Students meet once weekly in groups of 5-6, where they will receive group instruction in English grammar and individual help with papers. ENWR 107 is specifically designed for students whose first language is not English, but other students may enroll with the instructor's permission. Students will generally be referred to ENWR 107 by their ENWR 105, 106, 110, or 210 instructor. Attendance will be mandatory for students referred by their instructor. The course meets during weeks three through fifteen of the semester.

ENWR 107 will begin the week of January 28, 2002.

Courses for Graduate Students

* LING 103 Academic Writing for Graduate Students (ESL) is a new advanced writing course for graduate students for whom English is a second language. Course topics include reporting research, critical analysis, and argumentation. Structures and vocabulary are addressed as needed. Individual consultations are an important part of the course. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor and is limited to students at or near the dissertation stage.

LING 103 begins Jan. 21, 2002. LING 101, 102, and 105 begin the week of January 28, 2002.

Note: Assessment must precede registration for LING 101 - 105.

Writing Center - Spring 2002

CAELC staff will be available in the Writing Center to assist ESL students with writing:

Tutors

CAELC staff will match individuals with tutors based on client needs and the availability of tutors. Assessment must precede work with a tutor.

Accent Modification

The Speech-Language-Hearing Center is part of the Human Services Department of the Curry School of Education. It is accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for full clinical services in all aspects of speech, language, and hearing. Accent modification training is available on an individual basis and may also be provided for small groups. Fees are reduced for UVA students, faculty, and staff and are adjustable where necessary. Training usually involves 12 weekly sessions with assigned work to be completed independently between sessions. The focus of the training is on the pronunciation of American English speech. This includes individual phoneme production accuracy as well as training on intonation, stress, and rhythm patterns. Candidates for accent modification training have an excellent command of English syntax and vocabulary but speak with an accent that interferes with communication. Individuals interested in accent modification training should first make an appointment for assessment at CAELC, 924 6166.

Fees

Contact for Accent Modification Training:
Dr. Janet Stack
Speech-Language-Hearing Center,
Curry School of Education
434/924 4625 jws8n@virginia.edu

International Teaching Assistants
The ITA program at the Teaching Resource Center is designed to assist International Graduate Students who speak a language other than English as their first language, and who are prospective Teaching Assistants for their departments. ITAs' spoken English skills are evaluated by means of the SPEAK Test, taken when these students arrive at UVa or when they receive TA assignments. Based on their SPEAK scores, some ITAs receive further training or assistance by enrolling in one of the following courses:

Courses for International Teaching Assistants - Spring 2002

LING 105: ESL - Pronunciation
LING 105 is designed to help individuals with little experience with oral communication in American English.

TCC 600: Effective Communication in English
TCC 600 is reserved for graduate students in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. SEAS students who score 45 on the SPEAK test or who complete LING 107 are referred to TCC 600.

LING 110: Accent Modification for ITAs
Students who have a good command of English syntax and vocabulary, but who are being held back by pronunciation problems will be referred to this course.

LING 111: Classroom Communication for International Teaching Assistants
Students who score at least a 50 on the SPEAK test may be assigned to LING 111. This course addresses skills and strategies ITAs need in order to carry out teaching responsibilities for their department, and it helps them learn how to communicate more effectively with American students. Graduate student ITAs successfully complete the course by demonstrating their ability to convey content information from their field to undergraduate students in a comprehensible and appropriate manner. Participants in the course and departmental supervisors receive a detailed report of progress at the end of the semester. This report may contain recommendations for suggested follow-up work for the ITA in consultation with the department or TRC staff.

LING 112: Classroom Communication for International Teaching Assistants (Part 2)
ITAs referred to LING 112 receive assistance in improving spoken English proficiency and/or teaching skills, as individual needs require. LING 112 may also be recommended for ITAs who have taken part in the screening process and earned a high SPEAK score. LING 112, also a noncredit course, does not meet as a regular class; TRC staff members instead consult individually with the ITAs.

SCREENING FOR INTERNATIONAL TAs The screening for ITAs is a diagnostic procedure designed to evaluate a potential ITA's level of teaching proficiency, and to determine whether he or she could benefit from courses or other follow-up work offered by the TRC. An appointment for a screening may be set up when the ITA's score on the SPEAK test indicates a need for it, or upon request by the department. One or more TRC staff members, instructors from the TA's department, and representatives from the International Studies Office typically make up the screening committee. The screening is videotaped to enable the TRC consultant to analyze the student's teaching skills more effectively.

Contact for the International Teaching Assistant Testing and Training Program:
Elizabeth Wittner
Teaching Resource Center 434/982 2815
ew3p@virginia.edu