TA Training
To ensure the highest quality of graduate teaching assistants and to facilitate their professional development, all departments must provide new teaching assistants (TAs) and assistant lecturers (ALs) with training that will prepare them for their duties and responsibilities.
The training of a new graduate teaching assistant is the responsibility of both the department in which the assistantship is held and the faculty supervising the new TA.
Schools and departments may develop and conduct their own training programs or may choose to utilize the summer and spring programs offered by the Center for Excellence in Teaching (CET). CET conducts its training the Wednesday before fall classes begin and the Friday before spring classes begin. All units which perform in-house TA training programs must notify the CET of new TAs who have completed teacher training.
Next TA Training – JANUARY 8, 2010
- TA Training Registration – Deadline December 11, 2010
- TA Training Overview
- Schedule
- Frequently Asked Questions
- TA Weblinks
- Waivers
Departments and faculty seeking assistance in developing TA training programs are invited to contact the Center for Excellence in Teaching: usccet@usc.edu
ITA Language Institute (Formerly known as ITA Institute)
Each August, CET and the American Language Institute (ALI) conduct the International Teaching Assistant (ITA) Institute. This program focuses on English communication skills and American classroom practices. It is highly recommended that departments with new International Teaching Assistants require their assistants to attend both the ITA and CET’s TA Training Program. The ITA Language Institute doesn’t replace the TA training program. It is offered in addition to the TA training program to better support the specific needs of international TAs.
Next ITA Language Institute – AUGUST 2-6, 2010
- ITA Training Online Registration – Deadline June 1, 2010 @ Noon
- ITA Language Institute Schedule
- Housing
- Guidebook for ITAs (PDF)
- Teaching Nuggets
NOTE: Some units on campus (USC College, for example) REQUIRE participation in the ITA Language Institute for international TAs. Please contact your respective Dean's office to ensure compliance. The USC College Office of Undergraduate Programs can be reached at (213) 740-8555.
Info for Waivers bullet above
Waivers for individual teaching assistants may be granted by departments. To be granted a waiver from TA training, the graduate assistant must have at least one year’s teaching experience that includes teaching responsibilities equivalent to the work that TAs perform at USC in an English speaking classroom. Departments must provide CET with a list of student who have been granted waivers.