EAP 5836 

EAP 5836, a 3-credit, supervised ITA teaching course, is mandatory for all international graduate students who are in their first semester of teaching (with lecturing, discussion leader, or lab responsibilities*) and who scored 23-27 on the TOEFL iBT (or 45-50 on the SPEAK).

The course has two parts: a weekly seminar and a series of classroom observations. The seminar consists of discussions on topics such as teaching discourse, cross-cultural communication, and language & culture, in addition to language instruction. Coursework consists of active participation in public speaking and interpersonal communication techniques needed by all graduate students, teaching assistants, and researchers. EAP 5836 students are observed when teaching their own classes and afterwards meet one-on-one with the instructor to discuss the classroom observation and the connection of the seminar material to the student’s personal in-class teaching, cultural, and language experience.

* International graduate students appointed as TA-G (grading and office hour responsibilities only) are not eligible to enroll in EAP 5836.

Additional information about EAP 5836

• EAP 5836 is offered in the Fall and Spring semesters, as is the SPEAK test.
• Any international graduate teaching assistant whose first language is not English must have a passing score (55 or higher) on a UF SPEAK Test (administered by UF), or a TOEFL-IBT Speaking test score (28+), prior to the start of summer classes in order to teach in the summer semester.
• International graduate students appointed as TA-G (grading and office hour responsibilities only) are not required to pass a SPEAK test and are not eligible to enroll in EAP 5836.
• In order to teach without supervision and enrollment in EAP 5836, international graduate teaching assistants whose first language is not English must have a passing score (55 or higher) on a UF SPEAK Test (administered by UF), or a TOEFL-IBT Speaking test score (28+), prior to the start of their teaching duties.
• Students can register for EAP 5836 listed under “Linguistics” in ONE.UF.EDU.

SPEAK Test

The SPEAK is an English proficiency test. The test is designed to give an accurate representation of how you speak English every day. The test is offered in lieu of the TOEFL iBT.

• The best way to prepare for the test is to speak English with your friends and colleagues.
• A sample SPEAK test is available for practice here —Sample SPEAK test.
• UF policy permits taking the SPEAK test a maximum of two times a semester and three times in a year.

Do you need the SPEAK?

• If prospective ITAs have a TOEFL iBT score above 27 on the speaking portion of the test, they do not need the SPEAK and are not eligible for EAP 5836.
• If prospective ITAs have a TOEFL iBT score in the 23-27 range on the speaking portion of the test, they can simply enroll for EAP 5836 in their first semester of teaching.
• If prospective ITAs do not have a TOEFL iBT speaking score, or the TOEFL iBT Speaking Score is below 23, they should take the SPEAK.

SPEAK Registration and Fee

• SPEAK dates for Fall 2022
  • August 16, 5:00pm
  • September 20, 5:00pm
  • October 12, 5:00pm
  • November 15, 5:00pm
  • December 6, 5:00pm
• The test fee is $100.00. Payment is required for registration. To register, click here.

Contact Information 

Questions about EAP5836 and the SPEAK should be directed to the University of Florida English Language Institute:

Maya Shastri, mshastri@ufl.edu (opens a new window)
English Language Institute
University of Florida
223 Matherly Hall
PO Box 117051
Phone: 352-392-2070