Primary Instructor - Summer Language Institute (SLI)

Primary instructors have full responsibility for teaching one or more sections of an established language course, in collaboration with the home department and Summer Session, which are offered based on departmental and student needs.

 

Introductory and intermediate language courses are taught in an intensive, condensed format; these 300-unit courses meet 4 or 5 days each week for 6, 7, or 8 weeks. Responsibility for teaching the courses is often divided into two or three separate 3- or 4-week positions (equivalent to teaching 100 or 150 units, and compensated accordingly).

Since SLI courses have multiple instructors and/or language assistants, all instructors must be prepared to coordinate with their co-instructors and/or language assistants. Instructors of intensive (300-unit) modern language courses will also be required to give a four-skills proficiency exam at the end of the course, under the direction of the Office of Language Assessment.

 

The specific courses for which instructors are needed can be found here: https://college.uchicago.edu/summer-session/summer-session-instructional-employment

 

Responsibilities:

 

  • Adapting a syllabus, in consultation with all co-instructors and the coordinator or language program director for that language, that follows the established departmental curriculum for that language, and that clearly states the objectives of the course, the requirements that students will be expected to fulfill, and the basis on which they will begraded, to be filed with the Summer Session Office prior to the start of the quarter
  • Preparing all course materials (e.g., ordering books and authentic materials, including desk copies for language assistants; creating and maintaining the Canvas site) in advance of the beginning of summer quarter, in cooperation with all co-instructors
  • Coordination among all co-instructors to ensure a coherent, cohesive classroom experience for students throughout the course
  • Daily coordination with Language Assistant(s) for delivery of additional instruction and assignments, including guidance on lesson planning and activities
  • Adhering to and announcing the University's and the Summer Session Office’s policies on grading, attendance, class participation, and academic misconduct
  • Preparing for and meeting all scheduled class sessions
  • Maintaining regular office hours (a minimum of two hours perweek)
  • Grading and commenting on papers and examinations in a timely manner and submitting final quarter grades by the Registrar's published deadline
  • Participating in any meetings organized by the Summer Session Office, Office of Language Assessment, or departmental language coordinator
  • Assisting with student course placement, as necessary
  • For 300-unit intensive modern language courses: Supporting the administration of a four-skills proficiency exam at the end of the course, including, where necessary, training in the administration and grading of the exam components, under the direction of the Office of Language Assessment
  • Collaborating with co-instructors and Summer Session Office to plan and implement related cultural activities for students (such as film screenings or field trips)
  • Bringing to the attention of Summer Session staff any matters related to student attendance, progress, or other areas of concern

 

Required skills and abilities:

 

  • Documented excellence in second-language pedagogy and oral communication
  • Knowledge of different approaches to language pedagogy, including communicative and content-based instruction
  • Willingness to employ online pedagogical tools
  • Willingness to learn and adhere to Summer Session Office and UChicago policies Experience and education:
  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • Master's degree or Ph.D. in language teaching, language area, or related field strongly preferred
  • Prior language-instruction experience in the target language at the university or four-year college level required
  • Native or near-native ability in the target language required
  • Previous experience in an intensive summer program preferred
  • Knowledge of four skills proficiency assessments and previous experience with proficiency-oriented language instruction preferred
  • Graduate student candidates may be a current PhD student or recent alumna/e
  • Graduate student candidates must have prior teaching experience, such as serving as a Teaching Assistant; experience teaching as a primary instructor is preferred, but not required. Please consult your department or committee chair or director of undergraduate studies about the suitability of your teaching as it relates to your academic plan.

 

We seek experienced and diverse applicants with a documented record of successful language instruction.

 

To apply for this position candidates must submit their application through the University of Chicago’s Interfolio jobs board at http://apply.interfolio.com/87026, and upload the required documents listed below.  The application deadline is June 1, 2021.

 

Required Applicant Documents:

  • Letter of application
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Teaching evaluations
  • Reference contact information for current or previous language teaching supervisor and/or department chair

This position is part of the Service Employees International Union.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-1032 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.

 


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