Non-native English Speaking Teaching Assistants
The UW-Madison campus policy and UW System policy require that all departments have in place a plan for assessing the English proficiency of potential non-native English speaking teaching assistants. Such proficiency must be demonstrated before non-native English speaking TAs are allowed to assume classroom-teaching duties (Regent policy 91-13).
Most departments in L&S, including the Psychology Department, use the SPEAK test for this purpose and the guidelines are as follows.
Additional information about the SPEAK Test schedule and how to register for the test is available at: https://esl.wisc.edu/ita-training/speak/.
Interpretation of Results:
| Score | Student Result |
| Greater than or equal to 50 | May teach with no further English language testing requirements. |
| 45 | Can perform instructional duties that require spoken English only if also enrolled in a program to improve English skills.
*Note: Students are required to re-take the SPEAK test until they have earned a score of 50 or above to teach without further English Language testing requirements. |
| Lower than 45 | Cannot perform instructional duties that require spoken English. |