ESL Information for International Teaching Assistants
The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee International Teaching Assistant Assessment (MITAA) is a requirement for some international teaching assistants who are non-native speakers of English and who will be assigned classroom duties as part of a graduate teaching assistantship.
Background: The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System established policy 20-17 in December 1991 concerning the selection, training and evaluation of teaching assistants. Section 1.B states: “Non-native English speakers must be required to demonstrate proficiency in spoken English before they are assigned classroom duties as teaching assistants."
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs Office has established the MITAA as the tool for assessing spoken English proficiency of international teaching assistants.
The MITAA evaluates English language proficiency for the classroom. The assessment is administered by the Office of ESL Programs in Curtin Hall, Room 672 (tel: +1 (414) 229-5757; e-mail: esl@uwm.edu).
Note: Not all prospective International Teaching Assistants must take the MITAA. You do not have to take the assessment if you have a recent (within the last 2 years) standardized test score:
- 23 or better on the Speaking section of the internet-Based TOEFL (iBT)
or - 7.0 or better on the Speaking section of the IELTS
If you are a graduate of an American university or college, you may not need to take the MITAA. Some UWM Schools or Departments may have higher requirements.
If you are unsure if you need to take the MITAA, please check with your academic department or the ESL Programs Office.
MITAA Schedule
- Spring 2013: April 29, 30, May 1
To schedule an assessment, fill out the MITAA Registration Form and contact the ESL Office.
A Department representative must be available to participate in the assessment.
There is no charge for the MITAA.