Does anyone here have meteorologic experience?

Can anyone properly explain a Tephigram to me? I have to take a few EAS (earth and atmospheric sciences) to get my proper graduating credits, and one course I chose was Violent Weather. It seemed interesting enough until I met my prof, great guy, unfortunately he is from far far away, and his English is terrible, so in turn his notes are like trying to decipher code. On top of this there is no assigned textbook, so this course is turning out to be a "learn with your own resources" type.