They didn't motivate you to learn. Eight international TAs later, Devlin said she has overcome the language barrier and early frustrations and now judges international TAs on what kind of teachers they are trying to be - not what country they are from. Interestingly, international TAs score higher marks from students in courses like sociology or anthropology, in which they can bring a non-Iowa perspective to the discussion. In some such classes, language barriers seem overshadowed by what international TAs have to say. Although ISU officials encourage students to talk to teaching assistants or faculty supervisors when they are having communication problems, few do so.
Most students say they simply learn the class material on their own.
Connor agreed, saying a change in attitude is the most helpful adjustment. A number of students say they eventually adjust to the speech patterns of their international TAs. It takes two to three weeks to overcome that initial language barrier, Devlin said. They want you to learn.