International Teaching Assistants (ITAs)

The Graduate School works with the Global Gateway Program (GGP) to evaluate and offer instruction to International Teaching Assistants (ITA) and Teachers of Record at Baylor University. International students must have a score of 25 on the speaking section of the TOEFL (internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language) or 7.5 on IELTS (International English Language Testing System) in order to serve as an ITA.

Those who score below 25 on the speaking section of the TOEFL or 7.5 on IELTS should enroll in GBL 5201 Teaching in English for International Teaching Assistants. Students who do not believe their score is representative of their ability can sign up for an evaluation at the beginning of the semester. If they receive a passing score on this assessment, they will be accepted as an ITA at Baylor. However, if they do not successfully complete this assessment, they should enroll in the two-hour credit course, GBL 5201 Teaching in English for ITAs.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be accepted as an ITA at Baylor. Students who do not successfully complete the course cannot serve as an ITA but will be encouraged to take the course again or offered other resources to help them achieve success.

ITA Course Description

GBL 5201 Teaching in English for International Teaching Assistants (ITAs) is a two-hour credit course focused on the classroom presentation and pronunciation skills necessary for ITAs to be successful in an American university classroom.

Priority enrollment in GBL 5201 is given to international graduate students who are seeking teaching assistant positions and who have speaking scores lower than 25 on the speaking section of the TOEFL or 7.5 on the IELTS. However, any international graduate student who wishes to improve their pronunciation and/or teaching skills may enroll based on availability. 

International students may also benefit from taking GBL 5103 English for Academic Purposes Graduate Writing.