Post by El Profe on Nov 22, 2009 18:48:58 GMT -4
Getting to this stage is not difficult. If your timing is good, you have a TEFL qualification and your are a native speaker, you will at least get an interview.
On their websites and job postings, schools will often say that they insist on a least one year's experience. This is not strictly true. Always ignore this and send off your CV and photo regardless.
If the school is any good, there will always be at least two interviews.
INTERVIEW ONE
The first interview is a meeting with the Director of Studies (DOS) where they explain to you what they are all about and ask you lots of questions not necessarily about teaching.
The most important thing that you need to impress about yourself is that you are a nice guy. You need to be warm and confident but not cocky. Don't let a lack of teaching experience affect your interview. Tell the DOS that teaching is an organic profession where ideas are shared and cultivated. Explain that the most important thing you are looking for in a school is a DOS from which you can learn and develop.
What you wear is also very important. You should dress as you would dress for teaching a class.
Remember, schools are businesses and there is a lot of competition amongst schools here. Students' complaints are always listened to. How you come across and how you look is vital to getting the job. All going well, you should be offered a second interview there and then.
INTERVIEW TWO
Also known as The Demo Lesson. This is chance to show the DOS that a lack of experience means nothing. The demo lesson will take place at a later date (perhaps the next day!) and you will know what the grammar point is. This will either be given to you or you may be allowed to decide it yourself. You will also know what level of English you need to teach.
Plan your lesson like you did in your CELTA training. Write up a lesson plan and have a copy for the DOS. Your guinea-pig student can be anybody and any number. They could be employees of the school, existing students or just the DOS doing some role play.
You will have about 20 to 30 minutes to shine. You won't be able to do a full lesson all the way to the unrestricted practice stage but you should get to the restricted practice stage. Here are some key tips to what a DOS is looking for and a successful demo lesson:
If you've got a demo lesson coming up soon, the best of luck. Don't forget to come back and tell us how it went.
El Profe
On their websites and job postings, schools will often say that they insist on a least one year's experience. This is not strictly true. Always ignore this and send off your CV and photo regardless.
If the school is any good, there will always be at least two interviews.
INTERVIEW ONE
The first interview is a meeting with the Director of Studies (DOS) where they explain to you what they are all about and ask you lots of questions not necessarily about teaching.
The most important thing that you need to impress about yourself is that you are a nice guy. You need to be warm and confident but not cocky. Don't let a lack of teaching experience affect your interview. Tell the DOS that teaching is an organic profession where ideas are shared and cultivated. Explain that the most important thing you are looking for in a school is a DOS from which you can learn and develop.
What you wear is also very important. You should dress as you would dress for teaching a class.
- Attire should be smart-casual but professional. No jeans, no t-shirts. Men wear a shirt! Ties are not necessary.
- If you have tattoos, hide them. If you have facial piercings, take them out.
- Ladies, go easy on the make-up. No high-heels or excessive cleavage.
- Footwear should not look like anything resembling trainers/sneakers.
- Tie hair up.
Remember, schools are businesses and there is a lot of competition amongst schools here. Students' complaints are always listened to. How you come across and how you look is vital to getting the job. All going well, you should be offered a second interview there and then.
INTERVIEW TWO
Also known as The Demo Lesson. This is chance to show the DOS that a lack of experience means nothing. The demo lesson will take place at a later date (perhaps the next day!) and you will know what the grammar point is. This will either be given to you or you may be allowed to decide it yourself. You will also know what level of English you need to teach.
Plan your lesson like you did in your CELTA training. Write up a lesson plan and have a copy for the DOS. Your guinea-pig student can be anybody and any number. They could be employees of the school, existing students or just the DOS doing some role play.
You will have about 20 to 30 minutes to shine. You won't be able to do a full lesson all the way to the unrestricted practice stage but you should get to the restricted practice stage. Here are some key tips to what a DOS is looking for and a successful demo lesson:
- Introducing yourself and making the students feel relaxed.
- The student(s) must always be producing language when possible.
- Good error correction techniques.
- Neat and effective board work.
- Patience.
- Minimal teacher talk time (TTT).
- A quick recap at the end.
- An ability to stay focused.
If you've got a demo lesson coming up soon, the best of luck. Don't forget to come back and tell us how it went.
El Profe