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 training. The Viterbi School requires students attend both CETs morning session and additional TA training offered by the school. Please check with your school to determine if it requires TAs to attend CETs morning session in addition to training provided by the School.
Next TA Training Wednesday, August 21, 2013
- TA Training Registration – Deadline July 15, 2013
- TA Training Overview
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
Each August, CET and the American Language Institute (ALI) conduct the International Teaching Assistant (ITA ) Language Institute. This program focuses on English communication skills and American classroom practices. It is highly recommended that all departments with new International Teaching Assistants require their assistants to attend the ITA Language Institute.* 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 5-9, 2013
- ITA Language Institute Online Registration - Deadline May 31, 2013
- ITA Language Institute Overview
*NOTE: Some units on campus (USC Dornsife College, for example) REQUIRE participation in the ITA Language Institute for international TAs from non-English speaking countries or for students who have not earned a degree in the United States. Please contact your respective Dean's office to ensure compliance. The USC Dornsife College Office of Undergraduate Programs can be reached at (213) 740-8555.