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"Implementing Undergraduate TAs in the Language Curriculum"
Mijeong Mimi Kim
Teaching Professor of Korean Language and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Washington University in St. Louis

This presentation examines the strategic integration of Undergraduate Teaching Assistants (UTAs) into the Korean language program at Washington University in St. Louis, drawing from 15 years of implementation experience. The model can be adapted across diverse language instruction contexts, offering valuable insights applicable to language programs more broadly. The presentation highlights how UTAs create opportunities for improved language proficiency, increased speaking confidence, and enhanced cultural understanding through structured peer interactions. By facilitating additional practice opportunities, UTAs help build supportive learning communities both within and beyond classroom settings.
The session provides practical frameworks for effective UTA recruitment, training, and retention strategies adaptable to various language programs. As integrated members of the language curriculum, UTAs receive course credit and benefit from experiential learning through direct teaching practice, exposure to diverse cultural perspectives, and reflective examination of their own language use. Furthermore, the UTA model promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion by incorporating varied linguistic and cultural perspectives into the learning environment. UTAs foster inclusive and accessible learning spaces where students comfortably practice language skills, addressing individual learner challenges through targeted supplemental support. UTAs link formal instruction to authentic language experiences, establishing meaningful pathways for language acquisition and cultivating inclusive learning communities where learning becomes a shared and enriching experience.

Bio: Mijeong Mimi Kim is a Teaching Professor in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Washington University in St. Louis, where she serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies. She also coordinated the Korean language program through 2024. Since joining the university in 2002, she has taught Korean at all levels, developed curricula for both traditional and heritage learners, and founded the WashU Coalition for Language Teaching and Learning, which promotes collaboration among language faculty and students.
Dr. Kim's interests include language pedagogy, curriculum design, and technology-enhanced instruction. Drawing on critical pedagogy, she creates content-based curricula that immerse students in Korean culture through media, fostering both language proficiency and cultural agency. She is co-author of several textbooks, including the You Speak Korean OER series (2023), Advanced Korean (2021), and Tigers, Fairies, and Gods: Enchanting Folktales from Korea (2019). She has served on the Executive Board of the American Association of Teachers of Korean (AATK) and contributed to national initiatives such as the Standards-Based Korean Language Curriculum project and the Korean Honor Society (KHS). Dr. Kim is committed to student-centered pedagogy that integrates cultural literacy into language education, recognizing its transformative potential in cultivating global citizenship.