So you want to teach English as a Second Language? You want to be an ESL teacher. You find a job ad for an ESL teacher position at a local agency. You meet the qualifications and submit your resume. You are contacted for a job interview.
Are you ready?
Job interviews can be uncomfortable for
most people. You have to express your interest in the job position, state your
work experience, skills, and educational background, and make a good impression
for the employer. For ESL interviews, the same requirement applies with one
exception, you have to show your teaching skills before being considered for a
teaching position.
Are you nervous yet? Don’t be J
There are some dos and don’ts in how to
approach a job interview (in general), but particularly for an ESL job
interview.
First things first: Prepare, prepare,
prepare!
 |
| Always be confident when going on a job interview :) |
NOTE: It is UNPROFESSIONAL to arrive to an interview late.
If that happens due to unforeseen circumstances and you informed the employer,
there is a chance he/she may still see you that day. Without prior notice, it
looks irresponsible on your part.
Why do I need to make extra copies of
my resume?
Employers are busy people and often
times may not make a copy of your resume. In some interviews, you may be
interviewed by more than one person so being prepared is a plus!
The Interview
You arrived to your interview. You may
feel nervous. You may even feel excited. Either way, you want to walk in with a
confident demeanor.
Dos
·
Arrive to the
interview at least 15 minutes before your scheduled interview
·
Turn off ALL
electronic devices (cell phones, Mp3 players, etc.) BEFORE entering the place
of your interview
·
Check your
appearance before entering the interview (Example: look in a mirror and check
your makeup (Ladies), hair, or tie (Men) to make sure nothing is out of place
·
Take a deep
breath
·
Always greet the
first person you see at the interview. This can be the security staff, the
person at the front desk, or the employer himself
·
Extend your hand
to shake the employer’s hand (In some cultures, the gesture may vary. Always
show respect no matter what)
·
Address the
employer by “sir” or “ma’am” or by their last name (Mr. So and So/ Mrs. So and
So) unless otherwise specified
·
Smile
·
Give eye contact,
sit comfortably, and speak clearly
·
Be respectful
Don’ts
·
Do NOT arrive to
the interview late
·
Do NOT turn off
your cell phone or electronic devices in the presence of the employer
·
Do NOT ignore the
security staff or person at the front desk
·
NEVER say “Hey,
what’s up, or Yeah, I’m here to see…” ALWAYS greet with a “Good morning/good
afternoon, Hello”
·
Dress in casual
attire (t-shirt, jeans, party dress)
·
Chew gum
·
Don’t address the
employer appropriately
·
Fidget, look
around, talk too fast or interrupt the employer while he/she is talking
·
Be rude
TIP: Always remain respectful to the employer. Some employers are not
professional and may not show you the same courtesy. Never become disrespectful
to an employer.
TIP 2: It is wrong for inappropriate questions to be asked
on any job interview such as your age, marital status, and family, religious or
political views. If an employer ask you such questions, politely ask them not
to do that. If he/she continues and you feel uncomfortable, stop the interview
and leave.
Remember: A job interview is about
the JOB and not the personal background or lifestyle of the individual.
How is an ESL job interview different
from a general job interview?
Both types of interviews are similar,
but for ESL interviews the focus is on previous teaching experience, teaching
style, ways of implementing a lesson, time management, classroom management,
student assessment and testing, and the interest of the job position.
New ESL teachers: If you are a new ESL teacher and don’t have a lot of
teaching experience, you can express your interest in teaching, any volunteer or
internship experience that showcases your leadership skills, tutoring, or work
experiences that highlight your ability to help others.
The Demo Lesson
Employers will ask potential ESL
teachers to do a demo lesson. Rarely, they will not ask for a demo lesson, it
depends on the agency. Some agencies will want to see evidence of your teaching
qualifications in the form of certifications, degrees, or licensing.
A demo
lesson is a short lesson presented to an employer that shows how you
implement a lesson, how you engage students/gain their interest, how you
explain a certain concept, and your overall teaching style. It’s also an
opportunity to show your personality and/or creativity.
· Employers will
either give you specific instruction on what kind of lesson they want you to
do, OR give you the option to create one on your own
·
Employer will let
you know the English level the lesson should focus on
·
There’s a
specific amount of time the lesson must be done (example: 10, 15, or 20
minutes)
·
The lesson will
be presented in front of the employer (the person interviewing you along with
other staff members) or an actual class
·
The demo lesson
is usually scheduled, but sometimes it can be impromptu.
TIP: Always ask questions if you are not sure how to do
the demo lesson. Questions can include the type of materials that can be used
(textbook, props, handouts), will a whiteboard and markers be available for
use, and the age group of the students. This is important in how you prepare
for your lesson.
Interview skills takes practice, but
with these tips and believing in yourself you CAN pass the interview and become
an ESL teacher. Good luck! J
Check out my video of me "acting out" an ESL interview on my YouTube channel
No comments:
Post a Comment