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Speaking Assessment Standards and Instructional Assignments

ITA – International Teaching Assistants Program

The following English language proficiency standards were established by the Drexel University English Language Center.

ITA Speaking Assessment Interview Score
 Recommendation Details/Explanation
GRADER Grading Ready for administrative tasks such as grading.
TUTOR Office Hours Ready for one-on-one meetings such as office hours.
ASSISTANT Labs/Recitations Ready for small group instruction such as in labs or recitations.
LECTURER No Restrictions Ready for any assignment, including full class instruction.

ITA Speaking Assessment Interview FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Do I need to take the ITA Speaking Assessment Interview?

If you are a non-native speaker of English who will have teaching responsibilities at Drexel, you must take the ITA Speaking Assessment Interview.

Why do I have to take the ITA Speaking Assessment Interview?

In 1990, the State of Pennsylvania enacted The Pennsylvania English Fluency in Higher Education Act which requires "institutions of higher education to evaluate their faculties for fluency in the English language," including "graduate teaching assistants who teach one or more undergraduate credit courses at a campus of that institution." Universities must file annual reports with the Pennsylvania Department of Education as proof of compliance with this state law. Penalties may be imposed for each course taught by an uncertified instructor or teaching assistant.

If English is my native language, do I still need to take the ITA Speaking Assessment Interview?

No, you do not. (Please see the next question)

How do you define "native speaker"?

With the goal of complying with the Pennsylvania Fluency in Higher Education Act, the Drexel English Language Center defines a native speaker as someone who has used English as their main language throughout their education, starting from primary school, in a country where English is the dominant language.

If I graduated from high school/college in the United States (or another English speaking country), could I be exempt from the ITA Speaking Assessment Interview?

No. The state of Pennsylvania does not accept a high school or college diploma as proof of language fluency per state law.

I have already taken the TOEFL or IELTS test, do I still need to take the ITA Speaking Assessment Interview?

Students who have taken the TOEFL or IELTS and achieved a score of 26 or higher on the speaking sub-section of the TOEFL or an 8 or higher on the speaking sub-section of the IELTS test, do not need to take the ITA Speaking Assessment Interview.

How is the ITA Speaking Assessment Interview administered?

The ITA Speaking Assessment Interview is a 15-minute live, interactive interview with a trained English instructor from the Drexel English Language Center. The interviews may be conducted via Zoom or in-person.

How is the score determined?

The interview is evaluated in four areas to determine linguistics readiness to teach undergraduate courses: (1) fluency and coherence, (2) vocabulary range and accuracy, (3) grammatical range and accuracy, and (4) pronunciation and intelligibility.

What if I don't pass the ITA Speaking Assessment Interview?

​The purpose of the ITA Speaking Assessment Interview is to determine overall English proficiency for the purposes of teaching undergraduate courses. It is not a test that can be passed or failed. Based on the interview results, a recommendation for your T.A. responsibilities is made to your department.

If you have any further questions, please contact Anne Politz at ato24@drexel.edu.