International Teaching Assistant Handbook:

An Introduction to University and College Teaching in the United States

(Revised Edition)

Shirley Ronkowski, Ph.D. With: Margaret McMurtrey, Jiaying Zhuang, and Karen Myers

© 1999, 1986 Regents of the University of California Adapted from: International Teaching Assistants at UCSB

This text may be used and shared in accordance with the fair-use provisions of U.S. copyright law, and it may be archived and redistributed in electronic form, provided that the editors are notified and no fee is charged for access. Archiving, redistribution, or republication of this text on other terms, in any medium, requires the consent of the author, Shirley Ronkowski.

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Table of Contents

Introduction

International Graduate Students as TAs

• TA Duties and Responsibilities
• TA Roles and Perspectives
• Time Management

Teaching Undergraduates

• Student Diversity and the American Educational System
• Teaching to Student Diversity
• Student Attitudes
• Student Expectations of TAs
• Developing TA-Student Relationships

Language and Communication Skills for the Classroom

• Improving Communication in the Classroom
  • Understanding Students
  • Checking Student Understanding
  • Communicating Effctively
• Teaching Methods for Effective Communication

Useful Phrases for Classroom Communication

• Introducing a Topic
• Making Transitions
• Summarizing and Concluding
• Inviting Participation or Discussion
• Clarifying Student Comments
• Emphasizing Points
• Giving Examples
• Interrupting or Redirecting Conversation

References