Seminar for International Teaching Assistants
As part of our commitment to excellence in teaching, Florida Atlantic University has established a minimum level of English language and teaching proficiency by which all international graduate students may work as graduate teaching assistants. In order to assure that these standards are upheld, the Graduate College in conjunction with the Department of Curriculum, Culture and Educational Inquiry has established the Seminar for International Teaching Assistants (SITA).
SITA is a multi-purpose program designed to prepare international graduate students to teach undergraduate students at FAU. Such preparation includes developing an understanding of the teaching role in American university classrooms, providing training in English pronunciation and intonation, practicing classroom communication skills and instructional strategies, and assisting students during the first semester of teaching at FAU.
Dates and Times
The first week of the SITA program takes place before fall semester classes commence (August 18-22, 2008). There are nine additional sessions offered throughout the fall semester for a subset of teaching assistants requiring additional language and teaching development. All international teaching assistants are required to successfully pass a panel review prior to beginning their assignments.
Teaching Eligibility and Participation
All international teaching assistants are required to pass a panel review by giving a ten-minute lecture presentation (see details below).
Students who are eligible to waive the SITA program (must meet requirements listed on SITA Waiver form) will have the opportunity to pass this panel review prior to the start of the SITA program.
The first week of the course is mandatory for all international teaching assistants who have not previously received a waiver and passed the required panel review. (Existing FAU international graduate teaching assistants are exempt from fulfilling this requirement.)
Students who score below 61 on the iBT TOEFL (or equivalent), under 55 on the SPEAK test, or under 65 on the Phone Pass oral proficiency will be required to attend both the initial week of SITA training, and the extended SITA program, which meets for nine additional sessions throughout the fall semester. (All other ITA's not passing the panel review during the initial week of training will be required to attend the nine week session as well.)
SITA requires a genuine commitment from the graduate student both to participate and to be successful. Students are expected to be punctual and attend all sessions. Any student whose attendance, participation, or performance falls below minimum standards may be dropped from the program.
Panel Review Details
Every international teaching assistant must be deemed "ready to teach" by a panel of reviewers prior to beginning an assignment. This panel consists of the following individuals: a faculty member from the candidate's department, an ESL rater, a faculty member from an unrelated department, a faculty member with teaching expertise, and an undergraduate student. Each candidate will be required to present a 10-minute lesson on a topic assigned by their department. Candidates who demonstrate spoken English proficiency and the ability to present their topic in a clear and organized fashion will be judged ready for a teaching assignment throughout their tenure as graduate students at FAU.
SITA candidates who do not pass the panel review will be unable to hold a teaching assignment; however, they will not lose financial assistance for the period of time it was offered in the original offer letter. These students are encouraged to take further English language lessons so that they may take the SITA program again at its next offering.
The type of assignment each SITA graduate receives is determined by the individual department or academic unit. Common assignments include tutor, laboratory assistant, and recitation leader. In some cases, SITA graduates are given full responsibility for a class. Each department exercises its own judgment about content readiness and sets its own standards for performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SITA program mandatory?
Yes. The SITA program is mandatory for all international teaching assistants (except those who meet the requirements for a waiver). All international teaching assistants must demonstrate before a review panel their ability to comprehend and convey the information necessary for them to be an effective teacher.
How often is the SITA program offered?
The SITA program is offered annually. The initial week of training takes place the week before classes start for the fall semester, and the nine week extended session continues for a subset of students into the same semester.
How are the panel review recommendations made?
To be considered for a teaching assignment by his/her department, an ITA candidate must be rated "ready to teach" by a panel consisting of three faculty members (one from the candidate's department), a SITA staff member, and an undergraduate student. Candidates who demonstrate spoken English proficiency and the ability to present a ten-minute "lesson" in a clear and organized fashion are judged ready for a teaching assignment. A general rating system is used to determine whether the student is "ready" or "not ready."
What if an ITA is not recommended to teach by the panel?
If a student is not recommended as "ready to teach" by the final panel, a department may file an appeal with the SITA Director and request an opportunity for the student to make a second panel presentation. However, if the department chooses not to file an appeal, the graduate student will not be allowed to teach but can serve in any other capacity to fulfill the assistantship funding obligations made by the department. The department should contact the SITA Director for further information.
When does a waiver apply?
A Request to Waive SITA Training (downloadable document) can be granted by the Graduate College Dean if a student receives a minimum of 60 on the SPEAK Test, 65 or higher on the Phone Pass oral proficiency test, or 80 or higher on the iBT TOEFL test (or equivalent) AND either has successful teaching experience at a U.S. college or university, or is a graduate of a U.S. college or university. A request to receive a waiver must be submitted using the form mentioned above. This form requires signatures from the appropriate Department Chair, the SITA Director, and the Graduate College Dean. Supporting documentation must accompany the waiver form. Click here 
for the Request to Waive SITA Training form.
NOTE: Adobe Reader 8.0 or higher is required to download and enter information into this form. Once you have entered information on the form, you can then save it as a PDF document on your local computer. It is recommended that you use Internet Explorer as a browser when saving the forms to your computer. If you do not have Adobe Reader 8.0 or higher, click here 
Does a teaching assistant who is granted a waiver still have to make a panel review presentation?
Yes. Panel reviews for ITA's receiving waivers will be conducted during the week prior to the start of the SITA program. Other arrangements may be granted depending upon the circumstances. Please contact the SITA Director for additional information.
If a department or college offers a similar program, can the SITA requirement be waived?
Certain GTA training programs at FAU offer equivalent preparation, thus international teaching assistants participating in these programs may receive a SITA program waiver. All ITA’s participating in these programs must submit a Request to Waive SITA Training (downloadable document), and they must still give a panel review presentation and obtain their approval prior to teaching. Please contact the SITA Director for additional information.
Who staffs SITA?
The SITA staff includes a Director, four Adjunct Instructors and one Graduate Assistant.
Who sponsors SITA?
The SITA program and all its related courses are funded by the Provost's office, and all academic support and training are overseen by the Graduate College. The program is housed in the Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry in the College of Education.
