Policy 5.2: Conditions of Appointment for TAs who are not Native Speakers of English

Washington State Law (RCW 28B.15.792) requires that undergraduate students be taught by a person fluent in both spoken and written English language. As such, graduate students assigned teaching duties, defined as direct interactions with students for the purposes of instruction, must demonstrate English language fluency.

Graduate-level reading and writing proficiency in English is established through the admissions process in accordance with Graduate School Policy 3.2 English Language Proficiency Requirements. The requirements below focus specifically on the additional spoken English proficiency necessary for teaching duties that involve real-time interaction with undergraduate students.

The requirements below establish Graduate School minimum standards. Hiring departments retain the authority to set higher or more specific requirements, including additional evaluation of reading and writing skills, based on the instructional needs of the course. Any additional requirements must be documented and based on measurable components of English language proficiency.

[NOTE: Examples of teaching duties include: holding office hours; reviewing test or paper scores with students; working with students one-to-one in study centers, such as writing, mathematics, chemistry, etc.; tutoring; conducting labs; leading discussions; helping students solve problem sets; commenting on studio work; lecturing.]

5.2.1 Requirements

Graduate students who are not native speakers of English as indicated in the applicant profile (see Policy 3.2) may be appointed as TAs with teaching duties only if the student fulfills the three requirements below:

1. Meet the English language proficiency (ELP) requirement, without conditions, as described in Policy 3.2.2. Test scores used to meet this requirement must be at the “Recommended” level or higher.

2. Meet the additional spoken English language proficiency requirement in one of the five following ways:

Hold a bachelor’s degree from an regionally accredited institution in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Canada, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, the United States, or the Virgin Islands, where English is the medium of instruction. While enrolled at the degree-granting school, the student must have been in residence in the English-speaking country.
Hold a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Juris Doctor (JD) from a regionally accredited institution located in the United States where English is the medium of instruction.
Demonstrate spoken English proficiency with a test score on file at the University of Washington of at least:
- 5 (or 26 for exams taken prior to January 21, 2026) on the speaking section of the TOEFL-iBT (Test Center or At-Home version)
- 7.0 on the speaking section of the IELTS (Test Center or At-Home version)
- 140 on the Duolingo English Test (DET) Conversation score. [Note: Less than 10% of DET test takers receive a 140 or above; 2025 data from DuoLingo]
Pass a one-time spoken English proficiency assessment with UW staff.
- For students who have been offered or accepted admission and who have satisfied the recommended English proficiency requirements, without conditions, as stated in Policy 3.2.2, a graduate program may submit an online request for a one-time spoken English proficiency assessment if the student meets one of the following prerequisites:
  - 4.5 (or 23-25 for exams taken prior to January 21, 2026) on the speaking section of the TOEFL-iBT on file with the UW.
  - 6.0-6.5 on the speaking section of the IELTS on file with the UW.
  - 125 on the speaking or conversation section of the Duolingo DET on file with the UW.
  - The completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree at a university where English is the medium of instruction.
- A candidate must receive an overall score of 34 (out of a possible 45) points to be immediately eligible to assume TA responsibilities without taking ENGL 105. Assessment scores expire after two years.
Pass English 105. This course is designed specifically for International Teaching Assistants (ITAs) and is offered by UW’s Academic English Program (AEP). While a student is completing spoken English language proficiency requirements, that student can be assigned teaching duties that do not include direct interaction with students. Such duties can include, but are not limited to, grading, setting up labs, preparing instructional materials, and running equipment in classrooms.

3. TAs who are not native speakers of English as indicated in the applicant profile and do not hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States are required to participate in additional TA-specific training from the Center for Teaching & Learning prior to the TA appointment. [Note: See the Center for Teaching and Learning’s Teaching@UW: Strategies for TAs for details; this training is recommended for all TAs.]

5.2.2 Exceptions

An academic unit teaching modern spoken languages may apply to the Graduate School to waive requirement #2 under Policy 5.2.1 for specific graduate students enrolled in a doctoral program when the following three conditions are met:

The teaching assistant’s teaching duties are conducted exclusively in a non-English target language of the academic unit
The teaching assistant is a native speaker of the language of the assigned courses
Requirements #1 and #3 under Policy 5.2.1 are met.

[NOTE: Waivers are requested as a MyGrad petition under the “Other” option.]

Policy 5.2 revised: December 2021; September 2026

Policy 5.2.1, section 3 revised: February 2023

Policy 5.2 and 5.2.1 revised: August 2023

Policy 5.2.1 revised February 2024, February 2025

Policy 3.2: Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements

English language proficiency (ELP) is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency.

[Note: Each prospective graduate student indicates on the graduate application whether or not the student is a native speaker of English, defined as: English was first the language the applicant learned at home, and the applicant received most of their schooling before 8th grade in English, and does not need extra support understanding or using academic English].

3.2.1 Demonstration of Proficiency

Proficiency at the level required for admission to the Graduate School by applicants that are not native speakers of English can be demonstrated in one of the following ways.

An earned and bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree (or an internationally recognized academic degree at the same level) from an accredited institution for which English was the medium of instruction.
- Residency: For applicants using an English‑medium‑of‑instruction (MOI) degree to meet the English Language Proficiency requirement, the following residency conditions apply [Note: students that are non-native English speakers will be asked if they meet these residency requirements in the Graduate School application]:
  - For institutions located in an English-speaking country: The student must have been in residence in that country for the full duration of enrollment in the degree program [i.e., the majority of each academic term in which the student earned credits toward the degree].
  - For institutions located in countries where English is not the official or dominant language: The student must have been in residence on, or in close proximity to, the degree granting campus for the full duration of enrollment [i.e., the majority of each academic term in which the student earned credits toward the degree]. Remote, distance, online, or primarily offsite enrollment does not satisfy the residency requirement.
- Documentation: Official documentation from the applicant’s degree-granting institutions verifying that all instruction is in English (as described in the Graduate Admissions page) is required, except for degrees from accredited institutions in the following countries: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Canada, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, the United States, or the Virgin Islands.
Official English Language Test Score (sent electronically to the University of Washington via testing center). An offer of admission cannot be extended prior to the receipt of official scores. Test scores are valid for two years and must be valid on the date the application is submitted or on the date the program requests a deferral petition

These specific English Language Test scores are the only versions accepted for admission to the Graduate School. Other tests or versions do not qualify.	TOEFL iBT	Duolingo	Academic IELTS
Minimum Required Score (ELP Not Satisfied; additional English language requirements as described in 3.2.2)	4.0 (80 for tests taken before Jan 21, 2026)	115	6.5
Recommended Score (ELP Satisfied without conditions)	4.5 (92 for tests taken before Jan 21, 2026)	130 or higher	7.0 or higher
Test Format Allowed	Test Center or Home	At Home	Test Center or Home

[Note: TOEFL MyBest and IELTS One Skill Retake tests scores are not admissible]

3. Previous UW graduate degree completion or previous admittance and current enrollment in a UW graduate program.

A graduate program may set additional standards or qualifications in either of the above categories. Students must confirm specific requirements with the admitting program.

[Note: As programs determine whether they will accept DET scores for admission, please note that the Duolingo English Test (DET) emphasizes short, real‑time, general‑use tasks, whereas TOEFL and IELTS assess deeper academic literacy in English through extended reading/listening and integrated source‑based writing. Accordingly, students admitted with DET scores may manage everyday classroom communication effectively but could face greater difficulty completing high‑cognitive‑load, technology‑restricted work in English—such as in‑class writing, complex (non-translated) readings, and real‑time discussions—without the assistance of technology.]

3.2.2 Meeting English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirements

An applicant who has attained a qualifying degree or a Recommended Score on an official English language test per 3.2.1 has satisfied the Graduate School’s ELP requirement without conditions.

3.2.2.1 Requirements for students not meeting recommended scores.

An admitted applicant who scores below the Recommended level will be required to satisfactorily complete one or two UW Academic English Program (AEP) courses to meet the ELP requirement. Enrollment in any required AEP courses must begin in the student’s first quarter [Note: additional fees apply].
An admitted applicant who is required to take AEP courses ENGL 103 and ENGL 104 may fulfill this requirement during the summer before the start of their graduate program by successfully completing the Graduate School Preparation Program through the International & English Language Programs [Note: additional fees apply].

Policy 3.2 revised: November 2021; March 2022; April 2022; November 2022; December 2022; August 2023 (removal of temporary policy statement), September 2026

Policy 3.2.2 revised: February 2023, January 2026

Policy 3.2.1 revised March 2024