Intensive Language Institute

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International Teaching Assistants

The Intensive Language Institute tests the spoken English proficiency of all incoming international teaching assistants for the University of Miami before they are assigned a teaching load. The SPEAK test, the institutional form of the Test of Spoken English (TSE) is a taped and timed test developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and is used in this assessment. Students who do not successfully pass the SPEAK test are eligible to demonstrate their spoken English through a videotaped teaching demonstration before a panel. They are also eligible to take a spoken English course. This 10-week course is taught each semester, depending on demand, and is designed to improve English oral communication and presentation skills.