Preparing International Teaching Assistants Program

PITAP Students with Brian Rybarcyzk, the PITAP Director

• About the Program
• How to Register
• Student Testimonials
• PITAP Courses
• Tuition for PITAP
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Resources at UNC
• Community ESL Resources
• Contact Us

About the Program

The Preparing International Teaching Assistants Program (PITAP) is for international graduate students who are or plan to be teaching assistants.  Students learn key skills for the American classroom.

The program helps students:

• Develop teaching skills
• Build cross-cultural communication skills
• Improve spoken English

The program includes:

• Two 2-credit classes (GRAD 810 and GRAD 811)
• One-on-one assistance
• Small group sessions
• Conversation partners with native English-speaking undergraduates

If you are or plan to be an international teaching assistant (ITA), we strongly encourage you to register for PITAP courses.

If you have questions about the program, contact Brian Rybarczyk, the PITAP Director, at (919) 962-2505 or brybar@unc.edu.

How to Register

Register for GRAD 810 or GRAD 811 as you would for any other graduate course through ConnectCarolina.

For information about course registration, please see Office of the University Registrar.

Student Testimonials

Here’s what former students have said about the PITAP courses:

“Thank you so much. These courses were the most precious and helpful ones that I’ve ever taken.”

“Learning how to interact with undergraduate students was the most beneficial aspect of the course.”

“Extremely helpful for both my teaching and communication skills. Also extremely enjoyable—I felt among friends.”

“This is a very useful course for me. I feel so relaxed in every class. It accumulated my confidence in future teaching…as well as daily communication with my peers and faculty.”

“It was really good to have a conversation partner. Thank you so much for suggesting this in class.”

PITAP Courses

GRAD 810: Communicating in the American Classroom

In this course, students will improve their speaking and teaching skills. The course focuses on basic skills needed to be an effective Teaching Assistant.

Students will:

1. Learn and practice basic teaching skills
2. Learn about cultural differences in educational settings
3. Improve American English pronunciation and grammar

Students will give short teaching demonstrations. Students will meet regularly with the PITAP Teaching Assistant. to the courses require practice speaking with conversation partners.

Two credits. Pass/Fail. Does not count toward degree requirements or earned hours. Offered both Fall and Spring semesters.

Download the GRAD 810 syllabus (PDF).

GRAD 811— Advanced Communicating in the American Classroom

In this course, students will continue to improve their speaking and teaching skills.

Students will:

1. Develop more advanced teaching skills, such as leading discussion groups
2. Learn to create a syllabus and lesson plans
3. Learn to develop a teaching philosophy
4. Learn about cultural differences
5. Improve American English pronunciation and grammar

Students will prepare and implement active-learning, student-centered lessons.

Two credits. Pass/Fail. Does not count toward degree requirements or earned hours. Spring semester only. Students must have already completed GRAD 810.

Download the GRAD 811 syllabus (PDF).

Tuition for PITAP

Full-Time Students (9 or more credit hours):

There is no additional tuition charge for enrolling in GRAD 810 or GRAD 811.

Part-Time Students (less than 9 credit hours):

If you enroll in one of the PITAP courses, it may increase your total number of credits, resulting in an increase in tuition. You should discuss tuition with your academic program.

Post-Docs and Other Scholars:

International post-docs and other scholars may audit a course if there is room in the class. Please contact the PITAP Director, at (919) 962-2505 or brybar@unc.edu.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Resources at UNC

The Writing Center: ESL Support

The Writing Center at UNC offers free ESL support for all non-native English speakers.

• Instruction, including workshops, writing groups, self-instruction, and mini-courses
• Online tools on grammar, listening and speaking, vocabulary, and writing
• Campus resources
• Community resources
• “Help for Hire” private tutors

The Writing Center is located at 0127 SASB-North.
Email: wcesl@unc.edu
Telephone: (919) 962-0725

UNC Office of International Student & Scholar Services

• Services and Programs: Programs to connect ESL students to advising, English language opportunities, and tutors.
• International Women’s English Conversation Group

MANO

UNC student organization which offers tutoring and conversations in English for students of all nationalities.

Community ESL Resources

Chapel Hill Institute for Cultural and Language Education (CHICLE)

Private classes are available in:

• Beginning, intermediate, and advanced ESL
• Pronunciation
• Idiomatic English
• Grammar
• Accent reduction
• TOEFL preparation
• Business writing
• Academic writing

Durham Technical Community College

Offers courses for ESL: Beyond Basics ESL Continuing Education classes. For more information, contact (919) 536-7264 ext 3228.

Contact Us

For more information about PITAP, please contact:

Brian Rybarczyk, PITAP Director
Phone: (919) 962-2505
Email: brybar@unc.edu