Teaching Assistantships at North Hall
Teaching Assistant positions were available at North Hall for the Winter 2020 and Summer 2020 academic terms. These TAships supported the NSF REU Site's mission of increasing diversity in the linguistic sciences through research on language and social mobility.
About the Positions
North Hall TAships provided undergraduate scholars with hands-on teaching and mentoring experience within the REU program. TAs contributed to the integration of research and education — a core goal of the NSF-funded site — while working alongside faculty and graduate researchers investigating the linguistic choices underrepresented minority students make as they navigate higher education.
The positions were part of a broader effort, supported by the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites program in the SBE Directorate and the University of California UC-HBCU Initiative, to build a more inclusive pipeline into the linguistic sciences.
The teaching assistantships offered through this REU site reflect a broader commitment to increasing diversity in the linguistic sciences. By placing undergraduate scholars in mentoring roles, the program creates meaningful pathways for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds, including those attending HBCUs and minority-serving institutions. These experiences help participants develop professional skills in teaching and research while also deepening their understanding of how language intersects with social mobility. Through hands-on classroom support and guided mentorship, scholars gain confidence and practical experience that prepare them for graduate study and future academic careers in linguistics and related social science fields.
The integration of research and education stands at the heart of this NSF-funded initiative. Teaching assistants contribute directly to this mission by helping to translate complex sociolinguistic concepts into accessible learning experiences for fellow undergraduates. This reciprocal relationship benefits both the scholars and the broader campus community, as fresh perspectives and diverse voices enrich discussions about language variation, African American English, and the role of language in educational and professional settings. By bridging research findings with teaching practice, participants help demonstrate the societal benefits of linguistic inquiry and its relevance to pressing questions about equity, identity, and opportunity in American society.
Beyond the immediate classroom experience, these assistantships serve as a stepping stone toward long-term engagement in the linguistic sciences. Scholars who take on teaching roles within the REU program often find that the experience sharpens their own research questions and methodological approaches, whether they are conducting interviews, analyzing language samples, or documenting community language practices. The supportive environment at North Hall encourages collaboration among faculty, graduate researchers, and undergraduates, fostering a professional network that extends well beyond the summer program. For many participants, this early teaching experience shapes their decisions about graduate school, academic careers, and the ways they hope to bring linguistics to broader audiences.
Term Availability
- Winter 2020 — Teaching Assistant positions open at North Hall.
- Summer 2020 — Teaching Assistant positions open at North Hall.
These opportunities were offered during the 2020 academic year. For information about current or future openings, please refer to the main program pages.