Sia-ctla01h3 Foundations in Effective Academic Communication

**Date Posted**:07/11/2025
**Req ID**: 44198
**Faculty/Division**: UofT Scarborough
**Department**: UTSC:Ctr-Teaching & Learning
**Campus**:University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)

**Description**:

- **Emergency Posting**

**CTLA01H3 Foundations in Effective Academic Communication**

**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.

**Job Title**:CTLA01H3, Foundations in Effective Academic Communication - SIA

**Estimated Enrolment**:40

**Number of Positions**:Up to two (2)

**Size of Appointment (hours)**:Up to 70 hours

**Session**:Fall 2025

**Salary**:$54.27 per hour + 4% vacation pay

**Appointment Dates**: September 2, 2025 to December 23, 2025

**Practicum Dates (In-Person)**: September 10 - November 19, 2025

**Practicum Times**: Wednesdays, 11:00am - 12:00pm and/or 12:00pm-1:00pm (in-person)

**Office Hours**: To be arranged

**Required 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, demonstrated ability to be perceived as highly approachable by students; and 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 writing, 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); and knowledge and experience using web conferencing tools such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
Previous experience is more relevant criterion than the need to acquire experience in respect of this posted position.

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

**Description of 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 or two, in-person practicum session(s) per week on Wednesdays, 11am - 12pm and/or 12 noon - 1 pm 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; provide supportive written feedback and guidance that helps individual students to develop the