Strategies for International Teaching Assistants (ITA’s)

1. Strategies for International Teaching Assistants (ITA’s) Anita Nahal, Ph.D. Founder & Chairperson, Www.diversitydiscover.com

2. ITA’s--What to keep in mind? • Where You Came From and What you Knew: Ideas/Ideals/Cultural, political, economic, religious, social concepts and beliefs, etc you bring with you • Where You Are Now and Will Learn About: The new environment which could be somewhat or entirely different from what you have known and bring with you • Your move was voluntary (in most cases): Something about this country, its system and people, something about this university appealed to you • Questions of adjustment, emotional, physical, personal and professional will be uppermost in your mind

3. Methods for Possible Success LAWS (Learn, Appreciate, Willing, Survive) SPOD (Simple Preparation Objectively Delivered)

4. LAWS methodinside and outside the classroom its all a question of survivaland being good at it! * L: LEARN About your chosen university, its mission, vision, core values and the motto. Learn about the educational system of your chosen country. Learn about the country. Learn as much possible about the students in your class. Learn about the academic requirements of the course you will teach, semester system, class/es per week, evaluation system etc. * A: APPRECIATE Diversity, Difference in opinions, Different teaching methods, Different living habits, social customs/cultural mores and religious beliefs.

5. LAWS method-continuedinside and outside the classroomall a question of survival and being good at it! * W: WILLING To learn new things, to adapt to new and different environment, to improvise, to communicate simply, clearly, broadmindedly, to initiate a dialogue with students, to reach out. * S: SURVIVE By remaining focused---Why you came to this country? studies. By protecting yourself—financially and personally. By accepting that positives and negatives go hand in hand. By being productive—do not forget your goals—higher education, fulfill them and make a grand future for yourself!

6. SPOD MethodSimple Preparation Objectively Delivered Teaching Methodology Communication Strategy • How to approach the course . English/accent/different words • Reading and other material . Make lectures Interesting • Audio-Visual teaching Aids . Make yourself accessible • Assessment method . Be a Role Model 1) Before coming to the university, if you know what you are going to teach, prepare thoroughly---it will give you a head start 2) Make your class lectures simple, clear and interesting. Leave time for questions 3) Have handouts if necessary 4) Ask students to make a list of questions/ points they do not understand and then discuss them 5) First ten minutes in each class, revise previous class material 6) Be willing to accept if you do not know the answer. Do not give a wrong answer. Get back the next day with the right answer 7) Never forget sensitivity to issues of race, ethnicity, religion, cultural, gender or any other differences/diversities

7. Final Do’s and Don'ts • If students talk, laugh and seem disinterested ask them, “Would you like to contribute to what I am saying? Or “Do you have some opinions on what I am saying? Or “Please share with the class your opinions on this.” Or, please share the joke you are laughing about with the class…we all would like to laugh too!” • If students ask you to repeat and still do not understand a particular word, do not appear nervous, irritated or ignore the student. Smile and write the word on the blackboard • If a student/s disagree with you on any point, don’t insist on pushing your opinion. Teaching and learning is about disagreeing • No matter what personal problems you have do not carry these to the classroom • Speak with confidence. Remember the LAWS and SPOD Methods! ALL THE BEST!!!! For specific questions about your situation, please feel free to write to Dr. Nahal at anitanahal@diversitydiscover.com