There are two main kinds of graduate teaching positions in English: Graduate Teaching Assistantships, which involve assisting an instructor as a TA, and sessional positions, which are taught by independent graduate instructors (sometimes informally called “GIs”). TAs are normally assigned to assist an instructor with one course. However, some advanced “General Assignment” TA positions involve assisting an instructor across multiple courses that they are teaching in a given term. Sessional positions, on the other hand, involve teaching an independent course, as the sole instructor of record. The availability of each of these forms of teaching is dependent on the department's needs, and on the appointment provisions in the CUPE Local 5524 Collective Agreements.
Here is more information about each of the position types:
Teaching Assistants (Assigned to One Course)
Most TA positions are associated with the two large online courses that the English program offers every term: ENGL 109 (Introduction to Academic Writing) or ENGL 210F (Genres of Business Communication). TAs work under the supervision and direction of a faculty member who serves as the overall course coordinator. TAs are generally assigned a group of students and are responsible for facilitating their progress through the course under the direction of the course coordinator.
The responsibilities associated with being a TA can vary somewhat between the two courses, but in both cases, TAs lead their group of students and mark their students’ assignments and exams. Your Assignment of Duties form will outline the specific responsibilities of your position.
General Assignment Teaching Assistants
A TA with a General Assignment position is assigned to a particular instructor for a term rather than to a specific course and provides teaching assistance for one or more of the instructor's courses. Duties of a GA are determined by the instructor and can include marking, meeting with students, assisting with in-class activities, or leading classes. General Assignment TA positions are generally reserved for PhD students who have held previous TAships.
Independent Graduate Instructors (Sessional Positions)
A graduate student who has the opportunity to teach independently as a sessional instructor will be the sole instructor of record for a course. This differs from a TA position, in which the graduate student works to assist a course coordinator. Based on the course descriptions in the undergraduate catalogue and on guidelines in departmental documents, independent graduate instructors design the syllabus and select the texts for their assigned class, deliver the course independently, mark their students’ assignments and exams, and submit their students’ final marks.
For more on responsibilities associated with teaching positions, see Responsibilities.