University Students as Teaching Assistants in College English Language Classes

Abstract

  Several years ago, as part of the teacher training course at Keiwa College, students were given an opportunity to be Teaching Assistants and work with “mentor” teachers in the college level English oral communucation classes. It was hoped that the students' exeperiences as Teaching Assistants would help them prepare for their teaching practicums at junior and senior high schools. This paper will describe the rationale behind this on-going program, explain how the program is being conducted, and will review comments and suggestions from the students who have participated as Teaching Assistants.