Requirements for International Teaching Assistants/Associates (ITAs)
Proficiency in Spoken English
All International Teaching Assistants/Associates (ITAs) whose citizenship is that of a non-English speaking country must demonstrate proficiency in spoken English. Attendance at an English-speaking institution does not satisfy this requirement.
Various tests exist that will satisfy this requirement. The minimum passing scores of the applicable tests are listed below.
Minimum Passing Scores for Spoken English Proficiency
TOEFL IBT Speaking Section – 24
TSE/Speak – 50
TBEST – 6.8
International Teaching Assistants/Associates from a non-English speaking country, must score at least a 24 on the speaking subtest of the TOEFL iBT test or have a TSE/SPEAK score or 50 or a TBEST score of 6.8 to work as a TA with unlimited instructional duties. A passing score from any one of these tests is sufficient.
If the International TA does not meet at least one of the minimum scores listed above, the ITA will need to meet with the hiring department and have an English Speaking Proficiency Evaluation (ESPE) conducted.