A case study on the successful development of an international teaching assistant

1993 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen S. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Assistant ◽  
Successful Development ◽  
International Teaching Assistant ◽  
International Teaching

scholarly journals Managing Anxiety: A Case Study of an International Teaching Assistant’s Interaction with American Students

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-190
Author(s):  
Ji Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Structuration Theory ◽  
Teaching Assistant ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Student Feedback ◽  
Classroom Observations ◽  
International Teaching Assistant ◽  
American Students ◽  
International Teaching

This case study utilizes structuration theory to explore the complexities in the academic interaction between a Chinese international teaching assistant (ITA) and her American students. Through four semi-structured participant interviews, eight classroom observations, and student feedback, major themes and variations were identified regarding the feelings, concerns, and strategies of the ITA’sinteraction with American students from the ITA perspective. The assumption is that despite the possible obstacles in cross-linguistic and cross-cultural academic interaction, ITAs have the drive and potential to successfully navigate through the challenging process. Implications for improving ITA training and practices are discussed.

The transracial aesthetic labour of an international teaching assistant

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijay A. Ramjattan
Keyword(s):  
Racial Identity ◽  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Teaching Assistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Teaching Assistant ◽  
International Teaching ◽  
Good For ◽  
The Aesthetic ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis paper introduces the concept of transracial aesthetic labour to understand why and how an international teaching assistant (ITA) vocally changes meanings of his racial identity.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a narrative analysis to detail instances of transracial aesthetic labour.FindingsFor the ITA, this labour involved orally distancing from or aligning with particular Indian stereotypes for specific contexts.Research limitations/implicationsTransracial aesthetic labour may occur in other industries that deem race an integral part of sounding right or looking good for the job.Practical implicationsThe findings highlight the need for ITAs and universities to rethink the meaning of transracial to combat racist perceptions of ITAs' speech.Originality/valueThe paper advances the aesthetic labour literature by exploring how race is vocally performed for this labour and introducing ITAs as aesthetic labourers.

scholarly journals Tale of the Tape: International Teaching Assistant Noticing During Videotaped Classroom Observations

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 434-446
Author(s):  
Gwendolyn M. Williams ◽  
Rod E. Case
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Assistants ◽  
Classroom Observation ◽  
Teaching Assistant ◽  
International Teaching Assistants ◽  
Classroom Observations ◽  
Initial Interview ◽  
American Universities ◽  
International Teaching Assistant ◽  
International Teaching ◽  
Effective Use

International teaching assistants face challenges in learning the norms for teaching in American universities. In order to address this learning curve this article describes a qualitative study of twenty international teaching assistants that examined how these participants viewed observations as part of their professional development. The study explored the noticing practices of international teaching assistants who participated in an initial interview, followed by a classroom observation so that the ITAs could notice their own teaching practices in the classroom. After examining the ITAs’ noticing of events during observations, the article will conclude with general recommendations for effective use of observations as part of the training of international instructors.

It Sharpens My Brain

2018 ◽  
pp. 174-189
Author(s):  
Yang Wang
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
International Teaching Assistants ◽  
Teaching Skills ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
International Teaching Assistant ◽  
Teaching Assistant Training ◽  
International Teaching ◽  
The U.S

In this case study, the author investigated how international teaching assistants in the U.S. learned English language and teaching skills within a course they took about teaching at an American college. Four participants from three different countries and three disciplines volunteered to participate in this study. The results suggested that by talking with a partner, all of the participants acquired communication and conferring skills and learned teaching skills by practicing, sharing, getting feedback, and reflecting with their peers. All participants contributed to this social learning environment and enjoyed the communication between each other no matter what backgrounds and disciplines they came from. Their conversations revealed their strengths and challenges and represented their various cultural backgrounds, disciplines, and personal goals. The findings from this study suggest that teachers in the international teaching assistant training program should encourage peer learning and provide opportunities for students to work in pairs or small groups. They should also plan meaningful activities for students through which students can learn language skills and cultivate communicative competence.

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