The Department of Asian Languages & Literature hires teaching assistants each academic year and summer to assist in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language classes (and other languages in some years). All appointments are subject to availability of funding. Department hiring will be carried out in conformity with the UW/UAW contract for Academic Student Employees.
Only UW graduate students are eligible for our teaching assistant positions.
If you have questions about application procedures, please check out our Teaching Assistant Application FAQ. If you still have questions, email the Academic Counselor at asianadv@uw.edu.
The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Asian Languages & Literature department at 206.543.4996 or the Disability Services Office at least ten days in advance at: 206.543.6450/V, 206.543.6452/TTY, 206.685.7264/FAX, or e-mail at dso@uw.edu.
Important Dates
Monday, November 18, 2024
Asian Languages and Literature TA Application for Summer 2025 and Academic Year 2025-26 will open.
How to Apply
Friday, November 22, 2024
TA Application Workshop (information session) from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm on Zoom. Email asianadv@uw.edu for more information and the Zoom link.
PowerPoint slides from the November 22, 2024 Workshop
Monday, January 13, 2025
TA Applications for Summer 2025 and Academic Year 2025-2026 are due. Learn more about applying here.
TA Job Duties
Typical job duties include, but are not limited to:
- teaching language classes daily (usually in the morning)
- making/grading tests and homework
- keeping student records
- participating in TA meetings
- collaborating with the supervisor and other TAs
TA Eligibility
Chinese language TA positions are open only to Department of Asian Languages and Literature graduate students (including those applying to, accepted by, or currently enrolled in the department).
For Japanese and Korean TA positions, all graduate students applying to, accepted by, or currently enrolled in the University of Washington are eligible to apply. Strong preference is given to graduate students in the Department of Asian Languages and Literature.
Please note that undergraduate students are not eligible for teaching assistant positions in the Department of Asian Languages and Literature. Interested undergraduates should consider taking our internship class, ASIAN 491.
Selection Criteria
The following criteria will be taken into consideration in the selection of teaching assistants:
- command of spoken and written English
- academic progress (with priority given to AL&L students)
- evidence of effective teaching potential
- career plans involving teaching
- responsibility and the ability to work well with others
In addition, the following criteria will be considered for language teaching applicants:
- proficiency in the target language
- experience teaching the target language
- completion of coursework in foreign language pedagogy (e.g. ASIAN 510)
- knowledge of the grammar of the target language and the ability to explain it clearly.
English Language Speaking Proficiency Requirement
By the time of appointment, students who are non-native speakers of English must demonstrate sufficient speaking ability in English by satisfying the requirements detailed in Graduate School Policy 5.2.
Teaching Assistant Salary and Benefits
Teaching Assistants in the Department of Asian Languages and Literature typically receive a tuition waiver, health insurance, and a monthly stipend during the months they are assigned to teach. Exact details of salary and benefits are listed in the offer letter. You can also find more information in the UW/UAW Contract.
Note: All applicants must keep the office informed of their current phone number, mailing address, and e-mail address.