Oklahoma State University requires all teaching assistants whose native language is not English to demonstrate the ability to communicate orally either by achieving a 50 on the ETS (Educational Testing Service) administered TSE or 220 on the equivalent OSU SPEAK test. After completing this requirement the prospective teaching assistant must further demonstrate proficiency in oral communication as a classroom instructor by passing the ITA exam.
In the last few years no teaching assistant without previous teaching experience (in English) teaches in the first semester. Thus it is not absolutely required that all of the tests be passed prior to the start of classes. For students first enrolling in the Fall semester, the TSE/SPEAK requirement should be completed by the week before classes begin in the Spring. The ITA test can be taken that week. If the ITA exam is not passed, the student should enroll in GRAD 5990 ITA for the Spring. It is very important that the requirements be completed prior to the Summer session if summer support is desired. In general the department cannot support students beyond the first year if these requirements are not met.
The registration deadline is usually about 6 weeks prior to the exam. The cost is $125. Consult the ETS TOEFL/TSE web site for details.
The SPEAK and ITA tests are generally administered in the week prior to the start of classes for the Fall and Spring terms. Usually the SPEAK is given on Manday and Tuesday and the ITA exam is given on Friday or Saturday. Contact Dr. Gene Halleck for precise information. The ITA exam is also administered to students enrolled in GRAD 5990 ITA in the Spring.