Foreign TA Training Project Needs Analysis

Abstract

This project analyzes the English language needs of foreign Teaching Assistants (FTAs) at the University of Hawaii. The primary goal of the project is to rationally formulate tentative objectives to be used in the design and implementation of an orientation program for FTAs. In addition, this aims to ease the burden of FTAs adjusting and transiting a new instructional environment. The data was gathered from diverse sources: personal interviews with the current FTAs, questionnaire survey to students, in-class observation, interactions with administrators and policy makers. The analysis indicated that FTAs academic expectations for their students and those of students did not match, partly due to cultural and instructional differences. Furthermore, students’ expectations toward their FTAs did not match with the FTAs’ capacities. Finally, suggestions to minimize the discrepancies are discussed.