International teaching assistants (ITAs) face a number of cultural and communication challenges in addition to the traditional issues that face all teaching assistants. For this reason, Carleton University offers international teaching assistants additional support measures.

International teaching assistants have a TA Mentor dedicated solely to their success. As part of the Mentorship program, Lauren Lee will coordinate ITA Support in the Fall 2011 term as the ITA Mentor, working with international teaching assistants across the university.

Who is Lauren Lee?

Lauren is a Masters candidate in the School of Linguistics and Language Studies. She has experience teaching in a foreign culture, having previously taught English in South Korea.

Programs and Support

  1. ITA Orientation: This orientation is strongly recommended for new international teaching assistants. Presented in conjunction with the International Graduate Student Orientation, several portions of the orientation specifically address the Canadian classroom, as well as how to navigate teaching and communicating in a foreign culture. Additionally information about the session, its content and registration can be found here.
  2. New/Experienced Partnering: Lauren will collaborate with TA Mentors and Graduate Supervisors in departments with international teaching assistant to partner new ITAs who require additional support with experienced TAs. These matches, made early in the term, will be department specific so that new ITAs can observe an experienced TA teaching firsthand.
  3. Workshops: Lauren will facilitate several workshops specifically geared towards ITAs and the challenges of communicating and teaching in a new environment. Look for these sessions in Carleton Central.

For more information on these programs or if you have specific inquiries about international teaching assistant support, please contact Lauren  at ITAMentor@carleton.ca.