University of Wisconsin–Madison

International TA Training

The ITA training course helps non-native English speaking TAs to improve their oral communication and classroom teaching skills.

The course focuses on three areas essential to good teaching.

  1. Teaching and Presentation Skills: Digitally recorded teaching presentations, tutorials, and peer feedback.
  2. Communication Skills: Practice ways to improve your classroom communication skills.
  3. Cultural Background: Discussion of the TA’s role, undergraduates’ expectations of a TA, and the unique aspects of the US educational system.

2026 ITA COURSE DATES

  • Spring Semester: February 2 – April 19
  • Fall Semester: September 14 – November 22

If you have questions, please contact gellt@english.wisc.edu.

Students in ESL 116 course work in the Active Learning Lab in the English as a Second Language (ESL) Department inside Helen C. White Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Nov. 23, 2016.

Why ITA?

All international TAs who want to improve their teaching skills should take the ITA course. It will prepare you to better interact with your students and improve your ability to help them learn.

At right, a College of Engineering student-peer advisor works with an incoming first-year undergraduate to register for her classes using a laptop computer during a Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) session at College Library in Helen C. White Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Aug. 9, 2017.

How to Register ESL 370?

Enroll in ESL 370: International Teaching Assistant Training the same way you enroll in your other classes. It is a 2-credit course in Fall/Spring semester.