Intensive English Program (IEP)
Developmental English (ITA) Program
Developmental English Program
WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE? Any international student who wants to improve his/her oral presentation skills may take this course. However, the course was designed primarily for international graduate teaching assistants who must improve their speaking and presentation skill to meet the communication requirements of their assistantship. Most graduate departments accept a passing score in this course from students who have not passed the TSE or UTA's equivalent test. Students should take the TSE or UTA's equivalent test before registering for this course.
WHAT IS COVERED IN THIS COURSE? Developmental English is a 10-week course which focuses on improving the individual's English speaking ability and providing the graduate teaching assistant (GTA) with insights about instructing classes in a manner which is culturally appropriate for American university students. The course covers the following communication components:
- Accent- reduction features such as the pronunciation of individual sounds, word stress, rhythm, intonation and phrasing.
- A linear teaching model with a beginning, middle, and end to each lesson or demonstration.
- Classroom management strategies that include how to engage a class more effectively by involving its members in questions and general participation.
- Application of classroom instruction during a weekly 2 -hour lab. For each lab, students will present a 10- minute lesson in the subject area to which they will be assigned as a GTA, and the presentations will be videotaped. The Developmental English instructor will confer with the student to explain where improvement is needed and how students can accomplish change in their presentation and speaking skills.
Note: Students enrolled in Developmental English will have access to the Language Acquisition Center and pronunciation software in the ELI computer lab
HOW ARE STUDENTS TESTED? Class attendance is monitored. Students missing in excess of 5 hours of class or lab will be dismissed from the course. After a student has recorded and submitted 6 videotaped practice teaching lessons, he/she begins work on a final presentation. The final video includes a 10-minute teaching lesson and an interview. Students have two opportunities to present a final video. If the first final video is rated highly by the instructor, the director will evaluate it for UTA use. If the student's first final video is not rated highly by the instructor or is not passed by the director, the student can record a second video (before the last day of class) for the director's review.
HOW DO STUDENTS KNOW WHETHER THEY PASS THE COURSE?
Students will be informed of whether or not they passed the final video via e-mail from the instructor. If students have been notified that they have passed the course, they can pick up a copy of their release letter at 402 Hammond Hall, Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Any students who do not reach an acceptable proficiency level in 10 weeks and may enroll in the course again the following semester.
WHEN IS REGISTRATION, AND WHAT IS THE TUITION? Click Here (pdf format).
WHERE DOES ONE REGISTER? Registration for Developmental English is done at UTA in 402 Hammond Hall, Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Students will complete an application form, submit their TSE or UTA's equivalent test scores and be instructed about when and where to pay the tuition.
WHAT IS THE WAITING LIST? The class size is limited to 14 students. Students who register after the class is closed are put on a waiting list for the next available class. Another class may be scheduled when 10 or more students are on the waiting list.
WHEN ARE THE CLASSES HELD? Classes usually begin 2-3 weeks after regular UTA classes begin (except during summer semester) and last 10 weeks. Students attend classes four days per week, Monday through Thursday.
- Fall: 8:00 a.m.-8:50 a.m. and/or 9:00 a.m.-9:50 a.m.
- Spring: 9:00 a.m.-9:50 a.m.
- Summer: 9:00 a.m.-9:50 a.m.
Students are also required to attend a 2 -hour lab once each week. The lab hours will be announced the first day of class.
WHAT MATERIALS ARE NEEDED? Students will need to purchase the following textbook and supplies:
- Textbook: Grant, Linda. Well Said: Pronunciation for Clear Communication. 2nd ed.Boston: Heinle & Heinle, 2001.
- 3 VHS videotapes and 1 audiocassette tape.
Other lesson materials, computer software, and video recording equipment will be provided.
NEED MORE INFORMATION? Contact Beth Snyder, Developmental English Coordinator; bsnyder@eli.uta.edu ; 817-272-6012 or call the ELI office phone: 817-272-2730.
- © 1996 University of Texas
at Arlington
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