Name
Challenges and strategies of teaching in the United States: perspectives from international teaching assistants in an Agricultural Education and Communication Department at a United States University
Date & Time
Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 5:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Description

The United States remains a leading destination for international students, with individuals from over 100 countries contributing to increasingly multicultural learning environments. However, international students often navigate unfamiliar academic systems that can affect their performance, particularly international teaching assistants (ITAs). Guided by Communities of Practice theory, this study examines how ITAs develop teaching competence through participation and interaction within a departmental teaching community. Intercultural Communication Competence provides an additional lens for understanding how ITAs navigate linguistic and cultural differences in instructional contexts.

The study addressed two objectives: (1) to understand the challenges faced by ITAs and (2) to identify the strategies they employ to overcome these challenges. A qualitative case study approach was used, involving semi-structured interviews with all ITAs in a Department of Agricultural Education and Communication during Fall 2025. In total, 11 interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using double-blinded descriptive and pattern coding. For objective one, three interrelated challenges affecting ITAs’ teaching experiences emerged from the data: difficulties with instructional communication and feedback, language and cultural barriers in classroom interactions, and a heavy reliance on faculty guidance to navigate teaching expectations. Participants described uncertainty in interpreting student needs, providing effective feedback, and aligning instructional practices with U.S. classroom norms, which influenced their confidence and perceived teaching effectiveness. For objective two, ITAs indicated several adaptive strategies to navigate these challenges. Participants described modifying their communication to better meet students’ needs, collaborating closely with faculty mentors and peers, and leveraging technological tools such as Grammarly and AI-based platforms to improve the clarity and accuracy of their feedback.

Implications for agricultural and life sciences programs suggest that departments can strengthen ITAs' teaching effectiveness by implementing structured mentoring systems, clarifying instructional and communication expectations, and providing targeted professional development focused on feedback practices, intercultural communication, and ethical use of educational technologies.

Location Name
McDaniel
Full Address
The Mill at Mississippi State University
600 Russell Street
Starkville, MS 39759
United States
Session Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Topic(s)
Scholarship
Presentation Track(s)
Afternoon
Schedule Block
Block 6
Authors

Jose Antonio Molina, Department of Agricult Ana Murray, Department of Agricult Carlos Duran, Independent Scholar María Fernanda Zepeda Andrade, Department of Agricult Pablo Lamino, Department of Agricult