<p>Does anyone know how teaching assistants are used at UGA? Are most entry level classes taught by them? What about upper level courses? I'm also concerned that the TA's will be difficult to understand because English is their second language.</p>
<p>Actually, all of my TAs were American and spoke perfectly good English. However, several of my actual professors had accents.</p>
<p>In my experience, TAs are in charge of labs, break out sessions, and study sessions, but most actual classes are taught by professors. The only TAs (aka grad students) I had as actual teachers were for calc and for intro to linguistics. I know at least for the sciences, you’ll probably never have a grad student teaching your class (maybe as a sub, but not for the entire semester). I can’t say the same for other areas.</p>
<p>ETA: Actually, now that I think about it - I also had a grad student for my first semester of spanish. I also know that my roommate had some of her upper level linguistics classes taught by grad students and a lot of her language classes taught by grad students. I think it just depends on what area you’re studying. The use of grad students varies.</p>
<p>Do you have a particular major or school in mind?</p>
<p>My experience as a social sciences major is similar to jenmarie’s – nothing negative to say about of my TAs, all of whom were native English-speaking Americans. Haven’t taken a class taught by a TA yet. As jenmarie said, they mostly lead breakout sessions and grade tests.</p>