uSC ITA Program

The uSC/ITA program allows for the opportunity for international students to improve their English, learn about American culture and become better teachers in undergraduate classrooms. In addition, they are able to form unique relationships with their uSC that can last throughout their time at USC and beyond.

A significant part of participation in ALI Classes involves weekly meetings between Undergraduate Student Consultant (uSC) and their respective International Teaching Assistant (ITA). Starting in the fourth week of the semester, ITAs are expected to meet with their uSC for two hours every week for 10 weeks. This time allows undergraduate students to help refine international Ph.D. students’ preparation for the responsibilities of being a teaching assistant, with the added benefit of facilitating a cultural exchange between both parties.

​These four hours offer ITAs an invaluable opportunity to hone their teaching skills, practice the English language (including pronunciation, conversation, slang, idioms, grammar) and gain a broader understanding of American culture. These words will often be summarized as “TLC.”

Fall 2025

The goal of the program is for ITAs to develop in all aspects of teaching, language and culture. Below are some of the ways that uSCs can help ITAs hone in each skill:

Teaching

• Give a brief presentation to your uSC over Zoom by sharing your screen and using other remote learning tools.
• Discuss the best way to organize a presentation. Choose a topic and together write up a presentation.
• Explain a homework problem, lab experiment, discussion article, etc. while your uSC acts like a student in your class.
• Role-play various situations in teaching, such as holding office hours, managing problem students or handling difficult questions.
• Discuss the nature of teaching in the U.S. What are students’ expectations? What are instructors’ expectations?
• Allow the uSC to silently observe you teach your class (this will count as some of your weekly hours). Meet together afterwards so that you can receive feedback.

Language

• Work on pronunciation exercises (drills, dialogues, etc.). Your uSC can find materials.
• Practice pronouncing key words from your field (look in the index of one of the ITA’s textbooks).
• Read aloud from an article (short story, internet website, etc.). Ask your uSC to correct sounds, stress and intonation.
• Review grammatical points that give you trouble.
• Go over slang and/or idioms; keep a notebook of new expressions and ask your uSC to explain them to you and give you a context in which to use them.
• Use a tape recorder to tape your conversations, pronunciation or grammar practice. Listen and review prior to your next session with your uSC.
• Choose a local business and call to get information about their services.
• Call your uSC on the phone and chat. Discuss phone etiquette and useful phrases.

Culture

• Visit museums virtually.
• Take a look at the Daily Trojan and discuss sports, politics or cultural news.
• Read some cartoons for pronunciation, idioms, puns and cultural knowledge.
• Watch a video or sitcom together. Discuss the plot and new words/phrases.
• Attend virtual uSC events (guest speakers, Visions & Voices).
• Cook a recipe together on Zoom.
• Attend uSC Program events.

Below is a link to our TLC Resources Google Drive, filled with materials for you and your ITA to develop the skills needed for the ITA Exam!