Fall 2009:
Section Schedule
ITA Courses
The CTE-ITA offers a sequence of four courses: EDUC 5780, EDUC 5790, ALS 5800, and ALS 5810.
The overarching goal for all CTE-ITA courses is to provide International Teaching Assistants learning opportunities to expand and refine their pedagogical understanding and oral communication. Small, student-centered classes meet twice a week for 75 minutes. In addition, students meet regularly in conferences with instructors to create an individualized plan for learning and practice.
There are three major components of each course:
Academic Practicum
ITAs are given the opportunity to integrate their linguistic and teaching skills through activities that take place in or approximate authentic academic contexts. These activities are designed to give ITAs “real-world” experience and include:
- Video-taped Teaching Excellence Practicum
- Role-play scenarios
- Discussion leading
- Conference presentation rehearsals
- Simulated interviews
- Peer feedback opportunities
- Classroom visits
- Regular consultations with CTE Undergraduate TAs
Oral Communication
CTE-ITA courses offer international TAs the opportunity to develop and refine their oral English proficiency through interactive activities that focus on communication in authentic academic contexts. Areas of linguistic proficiency addressed in these activities include:
- Pronunciation of specific phonemes (vowel and consonant sounds)
- Intonation and rhythm of American English
- Grammar and time frames
- Fluency development
- Vocabulary
- Slang and idiomatic expressions
- Culturally defined rhetorical and speech compensation strategies
Cross-cultural Classroom Dynamics
This component of the program focuses on issues related to teaching and learning in cross-cultural higher education settings (Cornell in particular). Technical information is integrated into activities that center on practical questions related to pedagogical development. Areas of focus include:
- Planning and organizing material
- Presenting information clearly and effectively
- Developing interactive, student-led teaching strategies
- Managing a classroom
- Understanding issues related to diversity
- Motivating and evaluating students
- Seeking support in teaching situations
- Developing individual teaching philosophies and identities