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Teaching Demonstration Assessment

Demonstrating oral English proficiency through a live teaching demonstration

The Teaching Demonstration Assessment was developed at Northwestern to provide students with an opportunity to satisfy The Graduate School’s English Proficiency Requirement in a live assessment format.  Students prepare for this assessment by taking Linguistics 480, The Language of Teaching & Learning.

During the assessment, students demonstrate their spontaneous communication skills by presenting a syllabus (provided just prior to the assessment), just as an instructor or TA might on the first day of class.  This is followed by a short, planned presentation of an introductory concept in their field.  Linguistics 480 allows students to explore effective communication strategies for the classroom as they prepare for the assessment.

Eligibility:  The Teaching Demonstration Assessment is only available to students who have earned a satisfactory grade in Linguistics 480, The Language of Teaching & Learning.  Students must complete Linguistics 480 before participating in the assessment.

Linguistics 480 is open by departmental nomination only, for international PhD and MFA graduate students who have not yet fulfilled TGS’s English proficiency requirement. Space is limited to 15 students. See the Linguistics 480 Information Sheet for more information on the selection process.

Nomination Process Departments may nominate students for enrollment in Linguistics 480 starting in the spring quarter of the graduate student’s first full academic year.  A link to the nomination form will be sent to departments during spring quarter.

For more information, please contact  Brian Hampson, Assistant Director.