ITA Testing and Training

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania enacted legislation in 1990 requiring that every member of an institution of higher learning who teaches undergraduates be tested and certified as fluent in English. At Penn, the English Language Programs (ELP) is responsible for testing and certifying all teaching assistants who use English as a second language (International Teaching Assistants or ITAs).

Testing and Certification

Prospective ITAs whose first language is not English may demonstrate fluency by either receiving a score of 60 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE), or a rating of Superior on an ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI). Prospective ITAs who have not taken the TSE or an OPI must take the SPEAK test (an institutional version of the TSE). A score above 55 permits automatic certification as fluent in English. Prospective ITAs receiving less than 45 on the TSE or SPEAK, will be counseled to take some language training before trying again. Anyone who receives a score of 45-55 on the SPEAK is eligible to take the Interactive Performance Test (IPT). In this test, examinees give a lecture on an introductory level topic specific to their field of study before a panel who listens and asks questions related to the lecture. Prospective ITAs who pass this test are certified as fluent in English.

Download the University of Pennsylvania Certification Form for English Fluency for Undergraduate Instructional Personnell Form in PDF format here:

(90 KB, PDF format)

Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free program, to read this document.

To sign up for either test, prospective ITAs should come to the main office of the English Language Programs (ELP) at 110 Fisher-Bennett Hall, 3340 Walnut Street. For a schedule of test dates, either click here or click on "Test Dates" at the top of this page.

Summer Training Program

The ELP organizes a seven-week language training program during the summer on behalf of Penn's School of Arts & Sciences (SAS). This program is open to prospective ITAs from all schools at Penn.

The ITA training program emphasizes the development of listening and understanding, fluency in speaking, clear pronunciation, better control over grammatical forms, and skills required for effective lecturing and classroom management.

The training program is a full-time commitment that entails class meetings five days a week and several hours of homework each day. In addition, tutoring sessions are provided. After initial testing, participants will be placed in a training group that best fits their level of English proficiency. Prospective ITAs who plan to enroll in the summer training program will need to complete and submit an enrollment form.

Deadline for Receipt of Enrollment Form	June 9, 2008
Program Dates	June 30 to August 28, 2008 Orientation: June 30-July 3, 2008 Classes: July 7-August 21, 2008 Testing: August 22-28, 2008
Tuition	$3,138 (excluding books). Tuition is covered for ITAs in the School of Arts & Sciences.
Enrollment Form*	(579 KB, PDF format)

Additional Information

Email the Coordinator: Mr. Christos Theodoropulos , or contact the ELP for other options.

Please note that ITAs are not eligible for ELP housing. ITAs should make their own arrangements for housing during their training program.