ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE!

World English as a Component of

World Class Education

“… future workers seeking careers in business, government, health care, law enforcement, and a wide variety of other jobs will all require global knowledge and skills.”

Michael H. Levine (Progressive Policy Institute)

Putting the World into our classrooms:

A new Vision for 21st Century Education. April 2005

An important part of World Class Education…

So let’s get started with…

A pop quiz!

Question One:Many science or math classes will:

A) have a daily lecture from the professor

B) be taught by both the professor and a

teaching assistant (TA) C) be taught only by a TA

Question Two:international Teaching Assistants:

A) received their bachelor’s degrees from the U of MN

B) are top scholars from all over the world

C) have completed all their PhD classes

Some of your “world English” speaking iTAs

Korea

Question Three:

A typical international TA has studied English: A) in a two year after- school

program

B) for four years in high school

C) for more than seven years

What does this mean for you?

You’ll work with TAs who “know their stuff” and understand what it’s like to be a student

You’ll be increasing your global competence – something your future employers will expect

Will accent be an issue?

Let’s look at a study that investigated this topic….

The tale of two physics lectures

Group A Group B

What happened ??? Group A

But here’s another piece of information we need …..

Group B

Both groups of students were…listening to the same speaker!

So, what does this mean?

Expectation influences perception!

What then can you expect from iTAs?

You CAN expect:

Your international TA has passed two or more English language exams in order to be your TA.

You can expect

you will adjust to a new accent

your future employers will be very glad you have this skill.

What about in classes?

You can get used to a new accent

iTAs will often supplement their speaking by writing key words on the board

What about in classes?You can speed up your understanding andlearning from an iTA by being prepared forclass and being familiar with the material.

Asin any class,

Ask questions (or for repeats) Go to office hours

A world class education!

Plan to be actively involved in your class Give yourself some time to adjust Know that resources are available Get ready to be a global citizen!