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GSI Teaching & Resource Center
University of California, Berkeley
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Teaching at UC Berkeley
Many international graduate students report that their work as Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) is among the most rewarding experience of their graduate careers. Working as a GSI offers you an opportunity to improve and refine your English language skills while sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm for your academic discipline with others. Through teaching, you will enhance communication skills that will benefit you in your future career, whatever direction you choose. In addition, undergraduates at Berkeley benefit from the diverse cultural perspectives of international GSIs.
If you are interested in applying for a UC GSI appointment, contact the Graduate Assistant or Student Affairs Officer in your department for information about the application process. Language support for GSIs at UC Berkeley who do not speak English as a native language is provided by the Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) Teaching and Resource Center's Language Proficiency Program.
English Language Proficiency Testing
Students who do not speak English as a native language and do not hold a Bachelor's degree from an institution in the United States must demonstrate oral English proficiency to be appointed as a GSI. In those countries where the TOEFL Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT, also referred to as the "Next Generation TOEFL") has been introduced, English language proficiency is determined by the speaking section score of the TOEFL iBT. In those countries where the new TOEFL iBT has not yet been introduced, students can demonstrate their proficiency by taking and passing the Test of Spoken English (TSE) before enrolling in Berkeley or the SPEAK test offered on the Berkeley campus.
Find out how you can satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirement by taking an eligibility quiz.
Language Proficiency Program Links:
Last update: 07/12/2006
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