Speaking Courses

• Check your test scores in the OECT Portal and register for the GRST 5400 based on the OECT recommendation through Workday.
• To gain instructor permission and register for the course, submit a prerequisite override request in Workday. Workday Student: Request a Prerequisite Override for Registration (Instructor Permission)
• If you do not have an OECT score, contact itas@iastate.edu for further instructions.

International teaching assistants (ITAs) are placed in GR ST 5400 based on their results on the Oral English Certification Test (OECT). GR ST 5400 courses can only be added to students' schedules by following the instructions below. Classes are kept small to allow individualized instruction. Priority is given to students who are currently on TA appointments.  

• Section A - Low-Intermediate Spoken English: 3 Credits. The emphasis is on pronunciation improvement and greater fluency.
  Section A is for those with lower scores on Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and TEACH, or with particular language problems such as pronunciation. The focus is on improving oral English skills through focused practice: working on increased language fluency; analyzing the sounds of American English and how they're produced; developing monitoring skills; discussing and practicing effective communication strategies, such as varied clarification questions; discussing cross-cultural issues; practicing basic classroom communication skills such as eye contact, use of the blackboard, and asking and answering questions appropriately. Students prepare for and give 2 presentations that are videotaped for feedback and practice.
   
• Section B/C - Intermediate Spoken English: 3 Credits. The emphasis is on the prosody of speech as well as on interactive oral communication.
  Section B (fall semester only) is for those with middling scores on the tests or a variety of communication problems. The focus is on communicating in an American classroom: improving spoken English, including fluency, pronunciation, and grammar; using communication strategies that compensate for language problems; observing and discussing cultural differences; creating an interactive classroom; handling and responding to student questions; presenting information in an organized and effective manner; giving videotaped presentations and receiving individual feedback on them.
   
• Section C (spring semester only) is for those with middling scores on the tests, and often these students are in their second semester of GR ST 5400. It combines parts of section A and parts of section B depending on the individual needs of the students in the class. In other words, it will include work on oral language, communication skills, and effective classroom and teaching techniques. Oral presentations will be videotaped for self-evaluation and instructor feedback.
   
• Section D - Advanced Spoken English: 3 Credits. The emphasis is on presentation skills, developing explanations, leading discussions, etc. in a teaching environment.
  Section D is usually for those who are at Level 2 on OECT. Students at this level are often already teaching recitations or labs for their departments. The class meets to discuss classroom and cross-cultural issues and practice skills such as explaining problems, leading students through a problem with questions, handling student questions and problems, organizing presentations, and pronouncing technical vocabulary. Students make several videotaped presentations which they evaluate themselves and discuss with their instructor. They observe and report on classes in their department taught by faculty and experienced TAs. The GR ST 5400 instructor also observes the students' real classroom or lab teaching and gives them individual advice

Spring 2025 Schedule