All International GraduateTeaching Assistants (GTAs) at Â鶹ŮÀÉ must demonstrate specific standards of language proficiency in order to begin classroom instruction and in order to maintain eligibility for tuition and stipend benefits. The Seminar for International Teaching Assistants (SITA) prepares international GTAs to achieve and maintain these standards. SITA is a collaboration between the Graduate College and the Center for Global Engagement through the Intensive English Institute.
SITA prepares international graduate students to teach/assist with the instruction of certain undergraduate courses at Â鶹ŮÀÉ. Such preparation includes developing an understanding of the teaching role in American university classrooms, training in English pronunciation and intonation, practicing classroom communication skills, and learning teaching strategies.
All International Teaching Assistants (ITAs) must successfully complete the SITA course in fulfillment of the state requirement to ensure that international faculty, including GTAs, have the appropriate level of English proficiency to perform well in the classroom.
Registration for SITA:
All new international GTAs must enroll in the SITA course.
- Engagement in the American Classroom: From Pedagogy to Practice, Angel Nevin, Friday, September 11th, 10am-12pm, DP 41, CGE classroom
- Understanding the Context of the American Classroom, Konstancja Szymanska, Friday, September 18th, 10am-12pm, DP 41, CGE classroom
You are a new International GTA if this is the first time you have a GTA position with Â鶹ŮÀÉ, regardless of whether this is your first semester at Â鶹ŮÀÉ. The course is offered in the fall and spring semesters.
The course is also available to other international GAs or graduate students who do not currently have a GTA assignment but plan to seek a position for future semesters.
TheÌý Fall 2026 SITA Ìýcourse begins on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.Ìý The program consists of the following:
Deadline to submit the SITA waiver for Spring 2026 is Monday, January 26, 2026
Eligibility Criteria (you must meet all three criteria below):
1) Language Proficiency (check at least one of the following criteria):
- iBT TOEFL composite score of 80+ with a minimum score of 26 in the speaking section, OR
- A minimum score of 7 on the IELTS test, OR
- Studied and received bachelor’s degree or higher from an institution of higher education with the primary medium of instruction in English
2) Departmental Recommendation:
The academic department chair must sign the SITA Waiver Form to recommend the waiver.
Upon submitting the waiver request, the SITA Administrator will review the waiver application along with the recording you provided as part of your SITA registration and make a recommendation to the Graduate College.The SITA administrator will notify you and your department chair of the final decision.
Sita Enrollment Instructions
To enroll in the SITA form, please submit an email to sita@fau.edu including your name and z number in the subject line. Additionally, please attach to a brief 3-minute video/recording introducing yourself.
Record a 3-minute video introduction:
- Introduce yourself and provide information about who you are and where you are from.
- Tell us what your academic subject is and why you are interested in this field.
- Tell us what you are looking forward to in your GTA appointment and any concerns you may have.
- Upload your recording to the email sita@fau.edu
We look forward to hearing all about you!
Contact: Aviva Katzenell, Academic Director and SITA Administrator (sita@fau.edu).