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 International TAs whose first language is not English may demonstrate fluency by receiving a rating of Advanced-Mid on an ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) or a score of 27 or higher on the Speaking component of the iBT TOEFL. Prospective international TAs who have not taken the TOEFL or an OPI must take the Interactive Performance Test (IPT) administered by the English Language Programs. The IPT consists of a ten minute lecture with a question and answer component on a topic in the candidate's academic discipline. Prospective international TAs who pass this test are certified as fluent in English. Prospective international TAs who do not pass will be counseled to take some language training before trying again. Read more about certification.
View a schedule of test dates and instructions for signing up.
Training
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.
Click here for more information about the Summer Training Program.