<p>The reality is that college professors AND TAs are rarely ever taught HOW to teach. As a student, you either luck out or don’t with someone who teaches well or doesn’t. </p>
<p>As for accents, some people have more difficulty understanding accents than others. There is something about the rhythm and pacing of speech that varies in different languages and cultures, and foreign-speaking individuals sometimes emphasize certain English words that require more attention in terms of listening skills. A language barrier or an accent is only one of many reasons that a professor or TA might be less than an adequate teacher. But, again, most are thrown in and told to go ahead and teach without any training.</p>