MEMO

TO: All Departments
FROM: Marcia Wong
RE: SPEAK Test Schedule and Guidelines for 2006-2007
DATE: June 14, 2006

Please read this memo carefully and save it for future reference since it contains all of the pertinent information regarding the registration and administration of the SPEAK Test for the academic year of 2006-7. Also, contact Julie Treanor at the Graduate College if you have hiring questions, and Dr. Wong at the University Teaching Center if you have any questions or concerns regarding the SPEAK Test.

Please note that ALL international TAs (with the exception of those who come from countries where English is considered their first language and/or those who are Permanent Residents or American Citizens) MUST take the SPEAK Test regardless of their TOEFL scores and/or prior degrees and jobs at other American Universities.

 There is a $60 fee for the SPEAK Test, which ALL international students must pay regardless of whether or not it is their first time taking the test. Departments may choose to pay the $60 fee for the student, and should then use the Student Scholarship Authorization Form (SSAF), which goes from the student's Department to Financial Aid for processing.

1.1 Candidate obtains permission slip filled out by his/her department;

1.2 Candidate goes to the Graduate College (Administration Bldg. 322), gets his/her permission slip stamped, and a $60 fee for the SPEAK Test is charged to the candidate's bursar's account;

1.3 Candidate registers for the SPEAK test using the online registration form.

1.4 Candidate takes the permission slip, online registration printout, and a photo ID to the Cottonwood Room (Student Union, 3rd floor, across from the Redington Room Restaurant) between 8-9:30 am on the date for which he or she registered to take Part 1 of the SPEAK test. All future ITAs take Part 1 of the SPEAK Test (one-on-interview with Dr. Wong and Dr. Stover) regardless of students' English proficiency;

1.5 Candidates who are not near-native proficient (as determined after their taking Part 1 of the SPEAK Test in the morning) will be instructed to take Part 2 of the SPEAK Test (a 20-minute audiotaped test) offered at CESL 210 in the afternoon of some of the dates listed on this memo (dates will be available as needed) [see sample test].

2. Results for the SPEAK Test are all posted on SIS 221, and candidates should check for their test results with their departments:

• For the students who pass Part 1 of the SPEAK, the results will be available in the morning when they take the test.
• For the students who also need to take Part 2 of the SPEAK, the results will be available within 5 business days of the day when they take the test.

3. *SPEAK scores vary from 20-60 in increments of 05 points.

The U.A. approved guidelines are as follows:

50 or higher	ITA is approved for Teaching Assistantship with unlimited student contact
45	ITA is approved for TAship as a grader and/or to teach his/her native language
40 or below	ITA is NOT eligible for a TAship

4. If the candidate does not meet the U.A. required English oral proficiency level on the SPEAK test, he/she will have to register for classes to improve his/her oral skills before he/she is allowed to retake the SPEAK test.

If he/she scores 40 or above, he/she should sign up for the GRAD 697 D course - (College Teaching for ITAs) and take the teaching audition at completion of the course in lieu of retaking the SPEAK test. Please note that if there is a schedule conflict and he/she cannot take GRAD 697 D, the student may opt to take approved, evening English classes at CESL, and then retake the SPEAK test. Please check with Dr. Wong for the appropriate CESL classes.

If he/she scores less than 40, he/she will have to sign up for English classes at CESL or any other place that offers ESL classes.

* Please note that proof of completion of classes (GRAD 697 D or CESL/ESL classes) will be required if the candidate wants to retake the SPEAK test. No exceptions will be made!

5. The SPEAK Test will be offered at various dates throughout the 2006-7 academic year; thus, please plan accordingly and make sure that ALL of your future ITAs are in compliance with the U.A. requirements. Please pay particular attention to the SPEAK dates available for students who will be teaching summer courses! Also, it is always a good idea to have your ITAs take the SPEAK test as soon as possible (i.e., as soon as they arrive) since they might have to spend one or two semesters taking classes to improve their oral proficiency before they are allowed to teach.

6. Dates for SPEAK Test - Part 1 :

(one-on-one interview with Dr. Wong and Dr. Stover) 

Fall 2006 July 27, 2006 (Thursday) Aug 03, 2006 (Thursday) Aug 04, 2006 (Friday) Aug 10, 2006 (Thursday) Aug 11, 2006 (Friday) Aug 14, 2006 (Monday) Aug 18, 2006 (Friday) Aug 24, 2006 (Thursday) Aug 31, 2006 (Thursday) Sept 21, 2006 (Thursday) Dec 14, 2006 (Thursday)

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 Jan 05, 2007 (Friday) Jan 08, 2007 (Monday) Jan 11, 2007 (Thursday) Jan 25, 2007 (Thursday) May 10, 2007 (Thursday) June 07, 2007 (Thursday)   Go to Online Registration form ->

 

7. For any additional information regarding the SPEAK test, please contact:

Marcia Wong, Ph.D.
ITA/TA/Faculty Development Specialist
University Teaching Center
1017 N. Mountain Ave.
Email: marciac@email.arizona.edu
Phone: (520) 621-2440