{"id":101,"date":"2015-06-12T13:14:37","date_gmt":"2015-06-12T18:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/esl\/?page_id=101"},"modified":"2026-01-30T15:14:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T21:14:25","slug":"milwaukee-international-teaching-assistant-assessment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/english-language-academy\/milwaukee-international-teaching-assistant-assessment\/","title":{"rendered":"Milwaukee International Teaching Assistant Assessment (MITAA)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"lead-in\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System established policy 20-17 in December 1991 concerning the selection, training, and evaluation of teaching assistants. Section 1.B states: \u201cNon-native English speakers must be required to demonstrate proficiency in spoken English before they are assigned classroom duties as teaching assistants.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-ogsc=\"black\">The University of Wisconsin\u2013Milwaukee International Teaching Assistant Assessment (MITAA) is a requirement for some international teaching assistants who are non-native speakers of English. <\/span><span data-ogsc=\"black\">The MITAA evaluates English language proficiency, cultural competency, and teaching skills for the classroom. The assessment is administered by instructors in the English Language Academy. Please email the <a href=\"mailto:el-academy@uwm.edu\">English Language Academy<\/a> (ELA) to determine if you are required to take the MITAA, to schedule a MITAA, and to receive feedback on the MITAA assessment and exit reporting.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Note:<\/span><\/strong>  There are two primary exceptions to the MITAA requirement for International Teaching Assistants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1. The MITAA is generally not required for prospective ITAs who have graduated from an American college or university with the following conditions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The prospective ITA attended the institution for at least one year <strong>and <\/strong>the degree was earned within two years of applying to UWM;<strong> OR<\/strong> the prospective ITA attended the institution for at least one year <strong>and <\/strong>has lived and worked continually in the U.S since earning the degree .&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>2. The assessment generally is not required for prospective ITAs with one of the standardized test scores below (taken within the last two years). <span data-ogsc=\"black\">Students with any score below the minimum are required to take the MITAA:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">24 or better on the Speaking section of the internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) taken before 1\/21\/2026 <strong>or<\/strong><\/span> 5 or better on the Speaking section of the <span data-ogsc=\"\">internet-Based TOEFL (iBT)<\/span> taken after 1\/21\/2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">7.0 or better on the Speaking section of the IELTS<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">185 or better on the Speaking section of the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) or the Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>125 or better on the Conversation <strong>and<\/strong> Production sections of the Duolingo English Test <strong>or <\/strong>125 on the Speaking <strong>and<\/strong> Listening sections of the Duolingo English Test<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mitaa-panel\">MITAA Panel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-ogsc=\"black\">The MITAA is conducted by a panel of three evaluators: one department representative and two ELA representatives. The department representative needs to be a content specialist or faculty member who teaches in your department. There is no charge for the MITAA.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-ogsc=\"black\">You&nbsp;<strong data-ogsc=\"\">must<\/strong>&nbsp;have a department representative attend your MITAA. You may not take the MITAA exam on your own. You must have permission from your department to register for the MITAA.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-department-representatives\">Department Representatives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are a department representative or contact joining the evaluating panel and would like more information, please contact the English Language Academy at <a href=\"mailto:el-academy@uwm.edu\">el-academy@uwm.edu.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-international-teaching-assistants\">International Teaching Assistants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To schedule your MITAA, please complete the following steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">Contact your department to ask if you are required to take the MITAA.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">Identify your department representative. Make sure the department representative is a content specialist, such as a faculty member who teaches courses. If you do not know a representative in your department, please contact your department directly. <strong>Do not contact the English Language Academy for this information.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">Complete the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=w3rKC7b8_U6J623pdgPPISYOACFMJxFEk6JC8efMAQZUMjRDMDBQVjM5UlRTTjgwMjhNWEJVWFBUNy4u\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MITAA Registration Form<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your <strong>department representative<\/strong> will receive an email to the Session Sign-up.&nbsp; They will select the time and will inform you of when your session is scheduled.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">Appear for your MITAA on the date and time selected. Please do not be late. If you believe you will be late or if you need to reschedule, please email&nbsp;the <a href=\"mailto:el-academy@uwm.edu\">English Language Academy<\/a>&nbsp;24 hours ahead of time.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>If you would like more information about the MITAA, please contact the English Language Academy at <a href=\"mailto:el-academy@uwm.edu\">el-academy@uwm.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-before-your-mitaa\">Before your MITAA<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Prepare a 3 to 4-minute presentation in your field geared towards a first-year or second-year level class on a topic of your choice. A whiteboard, markers, and eraser or a blackboard and chalk will be provided. We strongly encourage the presenters to use these tools provided. Presenters are not permitted to use the aid of a PowerPoint or handout during their presentation. Presenters are also not permitted to use any electronic devices for the presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-to-expect-on-the-mitaa-day\">What to expect on the MITAA day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The MITAA session consists of 4 total components described below and lasts up to 30 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">A short introductory conversation (e.g. warmup questions) on personal, academic, or professional topics. These questions are designed as a warmup prior to the test and are <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">not assessed<\/span>.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">One role play scenario, lasting about 1 minute. These scenarios simulate a conversation with a student during office hours. The scenario will be provided on the day of your exam. These scenarios will help us assess your speaking, listening, conversation, and interaction skills.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">A presentation of approximately 3-4 minutes on a self-selected topic related to the field of study and suitable for first or second year undergraduate students. You will not be able to use any electronic devices for the presentation.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">A question and answer period of about 2-3 minutes following the presentation<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-assessment-criteria\">Assessment Criteria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are 5 categories for the assessment.&nbsp;<span data-ogsc=\"black\">Each category is assessed on a 1-5 scale, with 5 being the best. &nbsp;If the ITA does not meet the criteria to pass, then they will be required to complete English for Academic Purposes (EAP) coursework <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">either prior to OR concurrently with their TA teaching duties<\/span>, depending on the scores in other categories. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A summary of the requirements to pass and a description of each category are outlined below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To Pass with no additional restrictions both scoring benchmarks must be met:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In all 5 categories, the ITA needs an average of 15 <u>by all raters<\/u><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Must achieve a minimum of 3&nbsp;<u>from each rater <\/u>in the categories\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Overall&nbsp;language ability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pronunciation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Interaction with committee to pass.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If they do not achieve an average of 15 and\/or do not meet the minimum benchmarks in the specified categories, the overall score combined from all 3 raters may determine additional restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-score-categories\">Score Categories<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>45+: No restrictions (no additional coursework needed)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>35-44: Provisional pass \u2013 required to take EAP 435\u00a0<u>concurrent with <\/u>classroom teaching. Exit-MITAA required after completing EAP 435 to confirm classroom readiness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>34 or below:&nbsp;Required to take EAP 435&nbsp;<u>before beginning<\/u> classroom teaching.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Note<\/span><\/strong><span data-ogsc=\"black\">: After taking the required EAP coursework, the student must sign up for an exit MITAA to determine whether or not they have demonstrated marked improvement.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-category-breakdown\">Category Breakdown<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-overall-language-ability-a-score-of-3-in-this-category-is-required\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Overall language ability (a score of 3 in this category is required)<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">vocabulary (word choice &amp; complexity)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">grammar<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">fluency<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pronunciation-a-score-of-3-in-this-category-is-required\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Pronunciation (a score of 3 in this category is required)<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">Stress and intonation patterns<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-interaction-with-committee-a-score-of-3-in-this-category-is-required\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Interaction with committee (a score of 3 in this category is required)<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">Able to understand and interact with the committee as demonstrated by response to presentation follow-up questions and role play scenarios<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">Basic listening ability<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">Response to and handling of questions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-organization-development-and-content-nbsp\"><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Organization, Development, and Content&nbsp;<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">Main ideas clear<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">ideas logically organized<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">ideas supported with details and examples<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">ideas paraphrased, repeated, and reinforced<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-ogsc=\"\">cohesiveness<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-presentation-delivery\">Presentation Delivery<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Good Volume, Rate of Speech, Eye Contact, Use of Visual Aids (non-electronic), Non-verbal communication<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confidence in material and skills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-upcoming-mitaa-dates\"><span style=\"color: #000000\"> Upcoming MITAA Dates<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000\">The next MITAA dates for both new ITAs and for exit MITAAs are below. <em><strong>Registration for these dates begins April 15, 2026.<\/strong><\/em> Please do not complete this form until this date.<\/span> <strong>Deadline for registration is Monday, May 11th. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=w3rKC7b8_U6J623pdgPPISYOACFMJxFEk6JC8efMAQZUMjRDMDBQVjM5UlRTTjgwMjhNWEJVWFBUNy4u\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Register Here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thursday, May 14<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>1:00pm-4:30pm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>*Sessions are in 30 minute intervals<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>if you have any questions, please contact us at <a href=\"mailto:el-academy@uwm.edu\">el-academy@uwm.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System established policy 20-17 in December 1991 concerning the selection, training, and evaluation of teaching assistants. Section 1.B states: \u201cNon-native English speakers must be required to demonstrate proficiency in spoken English &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","uwm_wg_additional_authors":[]},"class_list":["post-101","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>English Language Academy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/english-language-academy\/milwaukee-international-teaching-assistant-assessment\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Milwaukee International Teaching Assistant Assessment (MITAA)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System established policy 20-17 in December 1991 concerning the selection, training, and evaluation of teaching assistants. 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