SIA - CTLA01H3 Foundations in Effective Academic Communication - Winter 2025

Date Posted: 10/25/2024Req ID: 40371
Faculty/Division: UofT Scarborough
Department: UTSC:Ctr-Teaching & Learning
Campus: University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)

Description:

Emergency Posting

Centre for Teaching & Learning - Sessional Instructional Assistant

CTLA01H3 Foundations in Effective Academic Communication – Winter 2025 Emergency Posting

Course overview: This highly interactive course for English Language Learners is designed to fast-track the development of critical thinking, reading, writing and oral communication skills. Through the emphasis on academic writing and rapid expansion of vocabulary, students will gain practical experience with university-level academic texts and assignment expectations.

In this learner-centered course designed to help students challenged by academic English accelerate the development of critical thinking, reading, writing and oral communication skills in academic contexts, there is a strong emphasis on building a learning community that is inclusive, mutually beneficial and has multidirectional communication that promotes active and voluntary learning.

For a full course description see:

https://utsc.calendar.utoronto.ca/course/ctla01h3

Posting Date: October 25, 2024

Closing Date: November 1, 2024

Job Details:

Apply here: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/webapps/cupehiring/dept/ctl/app/sia

Please note application requirements for each posting under the “Duties” section. The Centre for Teaching and Learning reserves the right to make partial appointments.

LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Estimated Enrolment: 20

Number of Positons: 1

Size of Appointment: 70 hours

Salary: $52.26 per hour + 4% vacation pay

Appointment Dates: January 2 – April 30, 2025

Practicum Dates: January 15 – March 26, 2025

Practicum Times: Wednesdays, 12:00-1:00pm (In-person)

Office Hours: To be arranged

Minimum Qualifications:

A minimum Master’s degree in a relevant field; a minimum of 3 years of experience teaching at a university; evidence of ability to support the development of critical thinking and academic communication skills (especially academic writing) of multilingual university students who have significant needs related to English for Academic Purposes; relevant experience teaching writing one-on-one and/or teaching in university courses with a significant writing instruction component; demonstrated ability and high level of comfort discussing and teaching grammar to students in university courses; excellent communication and motivational skills, and demonstrated ability to be perceived as highly approachable by students; demonstrated ability to create a lively, highly motivating learning environment and sustain students’ interest in learning (as reflected through student attendance and engagement throughout the semester).

Preferred qualifications:

Experience supporting student learning through an online environment; training in education or applied linguistics would be a great asset; experience working with a diverse group of students and training in second-language instruction at the university level; demonstrated evidence of active involvement in research in the field of second language writing; experience with teaching that involves critical Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy with specified use of Generative AI in achieving course goals; a demonstrated ability and experience using Canvas (Quercus). Knowledge and experience using web conferencing tools such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

Previous experience is the more relevant criterion than the need to acquire experience in respect of this posted position.

Duties:

The Sessional Instructional Assistant will prepare motivating and stimulating materials that engage students in dynamic and interactive learning during practicums, provide constructive feedback and encourage confidence-building participation that develops students’ competence in academic oral and written communication. The special focus on rapid expansion of core vocabulary and academic writing provides the foundation and practical experience for students to cope effectively with university-level academic texts and assignment expectations. Students will engage actively in collaborative peer learning through consistent engagement with cell group interactions, Peer Scholar interactions, assigned group work outside class as well as through online learning.

Responsible for leading one in-person practicum session per week on Wednesdays, 12pm-1pm in a way that establishes a robust highly-interactive learning community in the physical class; conduct office hours; grade projects, assignments, oral presentations and reflective journals; mid-terms and final assessments; facilitate the discussion board to stimulate an active and genuine exchange of ideas and deepening of critical thinking skills; grade quality of participation in discussion board and Peer Scholar; responsible for conducting assessments in accordance with criteria specified and provide supportive written feedback and guidance that helps individual students to develop their vocabulary and increase critical thinking and academic writing skills. Invigilation of the in-person mid-term test may be required.

Application instructions: (DO NOT APPLY ON THIS SUCCESS FACTORS, POSTING SITE, FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS BELOW)

Apply on UTSC's CUPE HIRING Application Site (for first time users, you must create an account).

Apply here:

To complete the application, please upload the following documents:

1. Cover Letter

2. Curriculum Vitae or Resume

3. Statement of Teaching Interest  

4. A short writing sample (maximum 4 pages)

5. CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Application Form (available online at https://uoft.me/CUPE-3902-Unit-3-Application-Form)

6. Contact information of THREE references

CAUTION: This ad is “posted only” to the U of T CUPE 3902 Unit 3 job board. Please see the information directly above for the application instructions; applications submitted via the "Apply Now" button on this page will NOT be considered for this position.

Closing Date: 11/01/2024, 11:59PM EDT
**

Salary:

$52.26 per hour + 4% vacation pay

This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement.

It is understood that some announcements of vacancies are tentative, pending final course determinations and enrolment. Should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.

Please note: Undergraduate or graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of the University of Toronto are covered by the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 collective agreement rather than the Unit 3 collective agreement, and should not apply for positions posted under the Unit 3 collective agreement.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.