The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) subsidized one English course at the Extension School for any graduate student who requested it. In addition, TFs could go to the Bok Center and Bureau of Study Counsel for additional help.
For some time, the Economics Department has had a more formal program, geared toward first-time TFs.
"We have a training program that is jointly run with the Bok Center that all TFs must go through," says Assistant Professor of Economics Andrew P. Metrick, the department's head tutor.
In March 1994, the Faculty Council approved a plan designed to ensure both language proficiency and general teaching skills of all TFs. The plan mandated that departments implement plans to train their TFs this past fall.
Departments were allowed to design their own plans or utilize the resources of the Bok Center.
Designed to improve teaching skills, however, the programs do not necessarily address the problems of language and cultural barriers.
In the Astronomy Department, Chair Robert P. Kirshner '70 says he has tried to deter such problems through informal discussion "language tests" with TFs at departmental parties.
Kirshner acknowledges, though, that professors are sometimes forced to step in when the educational process seems to be impaired.
"It can really be a bit of an issue," Kirshner says. "Most likely they are conscientious people who know they are having a tough time. In some cases I help teach the sections, but by then most of the students have defected from them."
According to Maurer the upshot graduate students who are not native speakers or have not attended English-speaking institutions must have their language skills evaluated.
But Kirshner says international TFs face more than language obstacles in dealing with American college students.
"There are really two problems that need to be worked out: one, language skills, and two, cultural differences," he says. "Not everyone knows the expectation of students."
"I feel it basically helps solve the problem if teaching [is] delayed from the first to the second or third year of graduate school," Kirshner says. "That way, there would be more time to get used to American speech and culture."
Changes
Using the comments from the program evaluations, CUE evaluations, the TFs themselves and past experience in workshops, Maurer hopes to refine the program with