UT - Austin Comparative Literature- Financial Aid

[graciela]

Anyone applying to UT´s Comparative Literature Program?

I´m applying to the program and don´t really know whether the guidelines for financial aid, which say to submit a sheet detailing teaching experience, would apply to me. I have a BA, would be starting out there to do my masters. I do happen to have three years experience teaching English in Spain, but that was in elementary schools and I feel it is not really the sort of teaching experience they are seeking out. I have no university teaching experience and do not yet posses a masters so would I even qualify for teaching assistanships?

They also ask candidates that would like to be consider for a position in the Spanish department to send a two minute cassette. My parents are Cuban so I grew up speaking the language, did coursework in college, and lived in Spain, but I have no degree or major in Spanish. My question is, what kinds of students normal TA in language courses, Spanish departments? Are they only native speakers, or students with masters in Spanish or would someone without a specific qualificaiton and near native fluency stand a chance?

Edited December 10, 2011 by graciela

[litjust]

Anyone applying to UT´s Comparative Literature Program?

I´m applying to the program and don´t really know whether the guidelines for financial aid, which say to submit a sheet detailing teaching experience, would apply to me. I have a BA, would be starting out there to do my masters. I do happen to have three years experience teaching English in Spain, but that was in elementary schools and I feel it is not really the sort of teaching experience they are seeking out. I have no university teaching experience and do not yet posses a masters so would I even qualify for teaching assistanships?

They also ask candidates that would like to be consider for a position in the Spanish department to send a two minute cassette. My parents are Cuban so I grew up speaking the language, did coursework in college, and lived in Spain, but I have no degree or major in Spanish. My question is, what kinds of students normal TA in language courses, Spanish departments? Are they only native speakers, or students with masters in Spanish or would someone without a specific qualificaiton and near native fluency stand a chance?

Hey, I'm applying to a completely different program so I may be wrong, but if they're asking for teaching experience and do not indicate that the teaching needs to be at the university level, I don't see why your experience wouldn't count. You know how to plan/prep for classes (which is needed regardless of the age of the students) and it seems like that's partly what is necessary to TA a course. For the language question, it doesn't seem like they are saying you must have a degree, but is there anyone you could contact at the school to ask for clarification? Maybe for both of your questions...?