Although many international TAs have studied the English language extensively, they are often surprised by some of the communication difficulties they experience in their American classrooms. In this section, communication issues are discussed in order to help the international TA identify language difficulties and improve communication in the classroom.
Students also use many idiomatic expressions and slang expressions in their speech.
A different kind of comprehension problem can occur when American students use humor. It may not always be easy for the international person to understand American humor or to tell when students are actually making a joke. When in doubt, ask the students if they are joking. It's a question that one Engineering TA from India might have asked in the following experience. But now I just laugh.