Once source of financial support for German graduate students comes from teaching assistantships. Graduate students who serve as German teaching assistants instruct a variety of courses ranging from elementary and intermediate language to conversation classes and occasionally literature courses. All German teaching assistants participate in the TA training program under the guidance of Dr. Cornelia Becher, the director of the German language program. The training program begins with an orientation workshop prior to the fall quarter. TAs enroll in a teaching practicum every quarter and meet weekly to discuss the underlying theoretical principles of language acquisition as well as methodologies and practical applications relevant to the teaching of German as a foreign language. The first- and second-year German classes are "communicatively" based with a focus on accuracy and proficiency. They are supplemented with computer programs including grammar exercises, web-based activities, and a CD-ROM for reading short stories.
Teaching assistantships currently provide a salary of $16,637 per year at 50% time. They also cover remission of the University Registration and Educational fees and graduate student health insurance.
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