At the time I was writing my dissertation I was a student at University of Cincinnati. University of Cincinnati has had an established program for teaching assistants since 1993; however, at the time I was there, I observed the need for the component for international teaching assistants in the program. That need guided my dissertation and this book. When revisiting the manuscript and preparing the publication, my aim was to offer something tangible and useful for higher education institutions. I currently work as part of a higher education insitution, too, and reading my dissertation after twelve years, I realize that communicative competence is still a valid topic, and that it can guide higher education institutions, researchers, as well as teaching and learning centers.

Second Language Identities examines how identity is an issue in different second language learning contexts. It begins with a detailed presentation of what has become a popular approach to identity in the social sciences (including applied linguistics) today, one that is inspired in poststructuralist thought and is associated with the work of authors such as Anthony Giddens, Zygmunt Bauman, Chris Weedon, Judith Butler and Stuart Hall. It then examines how in early SLA research focussing on affective variables, identity was an issue, lurking in the wings but not coming to centre stage. Moving to the present, the book then examines in detail and critiques recent research focussing on identity in three distinct second language learning contexts. These contexts are: (1) adult migration, (2) foreign language classrooms and (3) study abroad programmes. The book concludes with suggestions for future research focussing on identity in second language learning.

Written for all types of ITA programsan independent study course, a brief workshop, or extensive trainingthis versatile text provides essential information for ITAs to develop strong teaching skills that ensure effective communication in the undergraduate classroom. The authors take the perspective that incoming ITAs are responsible for their own learning and teaching style. Each of the texts ten units includes work on English proficiency, teaching skills, and cultural awareness. Each unit centers around a common rhetorical teaching task in U.S. university classrooms: introducing oneself, introducing a syllabus, explaining a visual, defining a term, teaching a process, fielding questions, explaining complex topics at a basic level, presenting information over several class periods, and leading a discussion. Undergraduate textbook materials for fifteen academic fields are included in the appendix to provide ITAs with content relevant for practicing teaching and language skills. Because ITA programs vary in structure and number of training hours, the authors include a To the Instructor section, which is full of recommendations for the many ways the text can be used.

North American universities depend on international teaching assistants (ITAs) as a substantial part of the teaching labor force, which has led to the idea of an ‘ITA problem’, a deficiency model which is framed as a divergence between ITAs’ linguistic competence and undergraduates’ and their parents’ expectations. This outdated positioning of ITAs as deficient diminishes the invaluable role they play within the academy. This book argues instead for an approach to ITA which recognizes them as multilingual, skilled, migrant professionals who participate in and are discursively constructed through various participant frameworks, modalities and activities. The chapters in this volume offer state-of-the-art research into ITA using a variety of methods and approaches, and as such constitute a transdisciplinary perspective which argues for the importance of dialogue between research and practice.

Our 10th Anniversary series features special essays from influential voices in the field who explore future directions for internationalization and student mobility, as well as the experiences of new generations of international students in less researched contexts and the need for more critical perspectives. Our 10th anniversary cover art celebrates the past ten years with an image of the Holi Festival of Colors celebrated around the world, including Nepal, the birthplace of our Founding & Executive Editor, Dr. Krishna Bista. The image is overlaid with the name of the journal in various languages to celebrate our authors and readers who span the globe, as well as our plans to publish future special issues in the many languages of our readers, similar to our recent Special Issue on International Students in China with full-length articles in Simplified Chinese. This issue features research and authors in Australia, Austria, Brazil, China, Lebanon, Malaysia, the Philippines, Portugal, and South Africa.

North American universities depend on international teaching assistants (ITAs) as a substantial part of the teaching labor force, which has led to the idea of an ‘ITA problem’, a deficiency model which is framed as a divergence between ITAs’ linguistic competence and undergraduates’ and their parents’ expectations. This outdated positioning of ITAs as deficient diminishes the invaluable role they play within the academy. This book argues instead for an approach to ITA which recognizes them as multilingual, skilled, migrant professionals who participate in and are discursively constructed through various participant frameworks, modalities and activities. The chapters in this volume offer state-of-the-art research into ITA using a variety of methods and approaches, and as such constitute a transdisciplinary perspective which argues for the importance of dialogue between research and practice.

The authors introduce students to the requirements that their degree programmes will make and explore issues such as behaviour management and national curriculum strategies, helping readers to engage with the material in a way that is appropriate to Higher Education study. The book draws on the experiences of teaching assistants and is grounded in the day-to-day practices of professionals working with young people in schools. Theoretical concepts are explored as being crucial to developing learning support and teaching skills. The authors′ aim is to help students understand essential theory, and to provide a practical support throughout their studies. This book is for teaching assistants working toward High Level Teaching Assistant status in teaching and learning (HLTA), and/or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). It is a teaching resource for Higher Education tutors and school line managers of teaching assistants. The book is also suitable for tutors and mentors as it gives guidance on content and presentation of professional development materials for teaching assistants. This book is a course text for teaching assistants. It helps students make the transition into undergraduate level study, and is also a teaching and learning resource for students and tutors on undergraduate programmes.