Chris Capell, a senior in computer information science, gets frustrated when he can’t understand his international teaching assistant’s English, or when the TA can’t understand his.

“There have been times when I needed a concept explained to me where I just gave up on getting the specific information I wanted because the TA or professor didn’t understand exactly what I meant,” Capell said.

Many Ohio State students like Capell have had experiences with TAs or professors who speak with foreign accents and have felt the inability of students and TAs to understand each other at all times has been detrimental to their grades and ability to learn.

An idea proposed by Michigan state Sen. Joanne Emmons, R-Big Rapids, would allow students to be reimbursed for a class if they are unable to understand their professor or TA.

Emmons proposed the idea while running for the Michigan State University Board of Trustees earlier this month, and believes as the cost of education increases, it is important that students get the best education for their money.

The idea — which has not yet been introduced as legislation — would allow students to receive a refund for a class any time before the final six weeks of the semester and would enact this policy at all public universities in Michigan, and later at other Michigan universities as well.

However, the effectiveness of this approach to international professors and TAs is questionable to Lars Dzikus, graduate administrative associate for Faculty and TA Development.

Dzikus, who is from Germany, was a TA for six years in the School of Physical Activity and Educational Services and said graduate students have to pass a series of spoken language tests before teaching.

Jeremiah Mankopf, legislative aid for Emmons, is skeptical of the language tests and does not believe they are effective.

“The rules must not be very stringent,” said Mankopf, remembering his own experiences with international professors and TAs.

Dzikus, however, said he believes communicating well in the classroom is not limited to language skills, but is influenced by many factors. The most important factor, according to Dzikus, is organization.

“If a lecture is organized well, it can compensate for language difficulties,” Dzikus said.

The issue of poor communication between students and international TAs is questionable to Dzikus, who wonders if an American-born instructor with poor organizational teaching skills also gives a student the right to a refund.

Dzikus cautions students to keep an open mind regarding international professors and TAs, rather than basing expectations in the classroom on preconceived notions of the teaching abilities of international professors and TAs.

He said he believes students can develop listening skills and a good understanding of a variety of accents by enduring just a few weeks with the professor or TA.

“International TAs and professors bring a wealth of experience and perspective to American classrooms that OSU students would miss out on otherwise,” Dzikus said.

Dzikus also believes if students are introduced to international teachers earlier in their scholastic careers, students can become more accustomed and accepting of foreign instructors.

“Students need to prepare for globalization and different situations they will encounter,” Dzikus said. “Midwest American is not the only English in the world.”

However, language remains an issue in the classroom.

“I think if there is a communication barrier, it will obviously have a negative effect on how well someone can teach their students,” Capell said.