Some undergraduates say they struggle to communicate with international teaching assistants, but most of these complaints go unvoiced to ASU.
Students worry they may not be getting much from the classes led by international graduate TAs.
"I had [an international TA] teach one day in my history class, and it was very difficult to understand," said Jordan Allen, a journalism sophomore. "I didn't learn anything that day."
Laura Hemmerich a pre-medical freshman faced a similar problem in her lab class that was also taught by an international TA.
"I didn't feel like I got much from her," Hemmerich said. "Our professor said he would help us, but nothing was really done."
Isabel Ferrales, program coordinator for the Division of Graduate Studies, said communication problems are rarely brought to her attention, but they are taken seriously.
"We're pretty aware if problems arise because some of the complaints could result in a termination of the TA-ship," Ferrales said.
ASU awards TA positions to graduate students, which not only helps with the cost of tuition and towards health care coverage but also gives them a chance to gain teaching experience.
TAs are usually placed in lower-division classes of their area of study.
Every international student applying for a TA position has to pass the graduate admissions, as well as an English proficiency exam.
The SPEAK test is a version of the Test of Spoken English, which is used across the nation.
The test, which focuses on the students' ability to communicate, includes reading a town map, giving directions or interpreting a graph.
Those who score 55 or higher are awarded full teaching responsibility. Those who score 50 are awarded lab or tutor positions.
If they do not meet a score of 50, applicants can become certified through a semester-long seminar.
Last year the program gave 336 tests and 232 students passed.
Ferrales said the University has strict requirements for the test to make sure the international TA's communication skills are up to par.
"There's always going to be a period of communication complication between the international TA and the student," Ferrales said. "But after a few class sessions, they will have established a common ground."
Kesley Pike, a biology junior, said she has difficulty communicating with the TA in her lab class but thinks it will get easier.
"I've only had one class with him, and it was more difficult," Pike said. "If I had a question, he didn't quite understand or I didn't quite understand his answer.
"But I suppose I'll get used to it, I just haven't been exposed to that before."
Ferrales said in these cases there is often an open-door policy and more room for students to discuss differences of opinion.
"The TA always does everything in their power to have a win-win situation," Ferrales said.
"These are very bright people with very slight language barriers," she said. "They are top scholars and researchers. It's very easy for undergrads to forget that."
Reach the reporter at beth.cochran@asu.edu.
