Teaching Assistant Preparation in English (TAPE) program

First, please check graduate student applications to know if they selected that English is NOT their first language.  ANY student, regardless of citizenship, who wants to serve as a Teaching Assistant and has selected that English is NOT their first language MUST take the SPEC test prior to serving as a TA.  Please review the requirement and the governing manual and code that determined this requirement at the Teaching Assistant Preparation in English webpage.  Anyone in your department who advises TAs or assigns TAs should be aware of this requirement.

Second, please remember that if a student is held for an ESL Course due to their English Placement Evaluation (admissions process/policy), they MUST take those ESL courses.  Once the EPE is taken, there is one option for a waiver as described in the course policies.

If a student is held for an ESL Course this becomes a degree requirement and holds equal importance to any other course required by the student's department.

ESL TA Certification Deadlines for students who want to TA at the University of Iowa:

If you or your department has any questions regarding the EPE or the SPEC, I encourage you to schedule a meeting with the ESL Program - Lynette Williams and/or Melissa Meisterheim.  We are happy to help you better understand these requirements to establish a strong process in your departments moving forward.