It is really quite difficult to pinpoint a good way to approach an ESL job interview. One possible option would be to compare the same with your clothes considering the various sizes, shapes, colors, fittings, and lengths that they come in. You cannot really predict which way it is going to go while appearing for an ESL teaching job interview.
Sometimes, the process can leave you feeling totally surprised. Imagine walking into a fancy language center and leaving after 40 seconds, having answered just two or three questions. On the other hand, a grubby, rundown little language school looking for an ESL teacher can leave you tied up in knots with their kind of process involving lesson plans, demo lessons, original TESOL certificates, degrees, passports, and intricately formulated questions that require you to explain subtle differences on topics.
Common questions to expect in ESL job interview
Such a thing as 100% preparation for ESL job interview does not quite exist. However, to assist the candidates looking for a teaching job abroad, here is a guide on some of the most common questions that you are likely to come up against when appearing for the said interview.
Tell us something about your teaching career:
This question literally sets the perspective on your candidature and is thus the most common of the lot you are going to experience in an interview. A good chance for you here is to pull out names of some of the big companies you have worked with alongside the acronyms and abbreviations that you can possibly think of. It is a platform to sell yourself just as you would sell any other product.
What makes you love teaching:
This is a tricky question to negotiate and does not really come with a defined correct answer. Just try to use your common sense and come up with a vaguely positive answer for chances are that will be enough to serve as the correct answer.
Why are you looking for a change of job:
This is one of those tricky questions that you should ideally be prepared for. A good response would be something non-offensive and along the lines of gathering some new experience. Try to get the interviewer’s ego pumped up a bit with glowing comments on the fine reputation of his school. Remember, whatever you do, do not slag off about your previous workplace.
What is your way of dealing with naughty children:
You are likely to encounter this frequently asked question at language center interview, so have an answer prepared. Saying off-hand that you will land a whopping backhander would be ill-advised. The purpose of this question is to get a deeper insight of your teaching methodology, specifically with regards to classroom management. Portraying yourself as a psychopath with negative responses will only put them off; on the other hand, you can get some advantage if you can show that you have some idea of what classroom management requires. The ideal answer will likely be something on the lines of positive reinforcement and the various approaches that you will use for making the students fall in line.
What according to you is one thing you do the best as a teacher:
You may be thinking that there is nothing you cannot take care of brilliantly. However, sometimes you need to adopt more of a diplomatic approach. While this certainly is not one of the tougher questions in the book, it has a tendency of leaving the candidates feeling the headache. An important rule of any interview question is that you need to provide the interviewer with as much information as you possibly can, though the same may not have been asked for in the question. This helps you in putting forth maximum number of your positive points while proving yourself as an effective communicator in front of the interviewer.
One of the really brain-wracking ones:
What do you feel is your biggest weakness
Well, nobody appearing for an ESL job interview would want to talk about their weakness, right? However, to say there isn’t any accounts for a bad answer. Again, be diplomatic about it and say that you are someone who is always looking to improve in every aspect of your life, whether professional or personal. That would certainly be more acceptable.
Conclusion
The best way you can handle (and possibly ace) an ESL teaching job would be by giving answers that are positive. Remember that you need to be strong and give answers that are believable. If you happen to encounter a question that makes you think, acknowledge that it is a difficult one and take your time in giving a suitable answer. It is yourself that you are selling, so come out with as much detail as possible and take the hard sell approach if necessary!