ESL job interview question: Describe your balanced literacy program.

Recommended answer 1:

In a balanced literacy program you have to make sure you focus on the following elements:

(1) Read aloud (teacher reads aloud) serves as a model of fluent reading, encourages prediction, builds a community of readers, and develops active listening skills.


(2) Share reading - student/teacher - demonstrates awareness of text, develops sense of content, promotes reading strategies, develops fluency and phrasing; it also develops comprehension skills.


(3) Guided reading promotes reading strategies, increases comprehension and supports independent reading.


(4) Independent reading encourages strategic reading, increases comprehension, supports writing development, develops fluency, promotes reading for enjoyment and information.


(5) Model or share writing develops concept of print, writing strategies and supports reading development; provides model for a variety of writing styles, models connection between sounds, letters and words, produces text that students can read independently.


(6) Interactive writing provides opportunities to plan and construct texts, increase spelling knowledge; it generates written language resources in the classroom, creates opportunity to apply what has been learned.


(7) Independent writing strengthens text sequence and develops understanding of multiple uses of writing.


(8) Strategic reading is an expert reading: when students read, they use their prior knowledge along with clues from the text to construct meaning. Effective readers are strategic. They have aims for their reading and can adjust their reading to achieve their reading objectives.


Recommended answer 2:

I use a combination of read aloud, shared reading and guided reading in my class where I can model reading to the students. The class can practice reading in shared reading, and then I can focus on specific skills in guided reading. In addition to this, we do shared and independent writing to relate what we learn during our reading to better our writing. I use word wall words, environmental prints, and various reading materials.



Read more job interview questions-answers

Job interview question: 
What are the duties and responsibilities of a teacher?

Job interview question: 
What ESL activities in small classes would you suggest?

Job interview question: 
If I walked into your classroom, what would I see going on?

Job interview question: 
What are your classroom rules? 

Job interview question: 
How do you know how long to spend on your objectives?

Job interview question: 
What is your English teaching philosophy?


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ESL job interview question: What is the last book you read?

Recommended answer:


Prepare a list of books that you read - preferably those that were related to ESL and applied linguistics. Many employers would like to see you reading books  related to the position you are applying for. Choose a book that you read and scan it again - prepare to discuss it, because the next question would most probably be, Can you briefly tell me about it?

You should also be prepared to mention the titles of at least two professional journals that you read regularly. In addition, you should be ready to mention a  book related to fiction, science fiction or documentary.



You will find more ESL job interview questions with provided answers here...


ESL job interview question: Do you work well under pressure?

Recommended answer:



Although you should say ‘yes’, you should not sound too much unnatural by trying to make an impression that you would enjoy working under pressure every day. 


You should give an example from your experience when you worked under pressure and achieved good results.



You will find more ESL job interview questions with provided answers here...


ESL job interview question: How would you handle a conference with a parent who does not think there is a problem with the student?

Recommended answer:


I always file documentation of my students’ progress and problems/failures in case I need to present them to the parents. 

Or:

Apart from documenting all behaviours or misbehaviours (and keeping records of students’ performance), I talk to the parents about the good things that the child does so they would not feel like I am attacking their child. In addition, I try to maintain regular communication with the parents. Then, when it is time to talk about the behaviours that need to change they are usually more open-minded. I usually start conversation in a positive, optimistic manner. I absolutely positively hear the parent out and stay open-minded. 


One of the things the parent should be made aware of is what their child’s continued behaviour might mean in the future if left unaddressed (e.g. natural consequences like loss of friends on the behaviour side, or being pulled out of class for academic issues, or possible failure in class). Then I would follow up with some suggestions that have effectively worked in the past with students who faced similar problems.


MORE q-a: http://www.esldrive.com/findajob/jobinterview.html


ESL job interview question: Why would we hire you over another candidate?

Recommended answer:


As a relatively new teacher, I can bring a freshness into my teaching. I am enthusiastic about my work, have many new ideas to try and am not set in a specific teaching style. I am open to trying new things, have a great grip on new technology and have the desire to utilize it in my classroom. However, I am not fresh out of college; I do have four solid years of substituting under my belt. I know the teachers here, the kids here, I understand what goes on in a school, and in particular, how things are done here.


More questions with provided answers...

ESL job interview question: Why do you want to teach 2-nd grade students?

Recommended answer:


That would be easy for me because of my own experience. 


I went to an elementary school that was extremely diverse. For example, we had a large Chinese community and we would study some of their customs and would have school events such as the celebration of the Chinese New Year. I just love those memories. We also sampled some of the foods and did those chips that come in different colours - the Chinese potato chips. We also had an international day and that was a big celebration. I had this beautiful skirt that had mariachi musicians on it, so I chose to represent Mexico

I still have the picture from that event. I loved elementary school. It provided me with some of the best memories of my life.

In addition, you could describe how to make your lessons a little more challenging to ensure their mastery. 

More: http://www.esldrive.com/findajob/jobinterviewqa.html


ESL job interview question: Discuss a time when you used poor judgement or made a poor decision in the classroom? How would you or how did you resolve the issue?

Recommended answer 1:

Children always argue about friends not sharing supplies. Then I made a decision to not allow supply sharing (their own school supplies twistables, colored pencils etc.). Later I discovered that this sent the wrong message (and kids started not sharing other things as well). So rather than banning school supply sharing, I decided to allow them to share but began stressing kindness and sharing in the form of character education. I then saw that the kids shared better and were learning important life skills at the same time.

Or: 

Recommended answer 2:

During my 1-st grade student teaching, I gave a girl several chances to correct her behaviour during a group activity. When she didn't "shape up" I had her leave the group activity and put her head down on her desk. She just bawled with her head down. I realized that wasn't the best way to handle her misbehaviour. When time permitted, I pulled her aside and apologized to her and explained why I was frustrated.  She gave me a hug and we discussed ideas of how to help her stay on track the next time we had a group activity. It was a good learning experience for both of us. When the event was over I reflected on my actions and what steps I would take with future similar situations to prevent the situation and behaviour [your aim is to convey that you know you are human and make mistakes, you admit your mistakes, reflect on them, and try to improve your teaching from the experience].



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ESL job interview question: What are the most important issues facing your profession today?


Recommended answers:

There are so many more things we have to do besides teaching. The major issues are state testing, childhood obesity, drugs, multiculturalism, broken families, budget cuts, etc.

Or:

For me, it is children's lack of motivation and lack of interest in education. This is more of a problem in the upper grade, but for some reason, many lose their interest by the time they get into 3-rd or 4-th grade. There is something wrong if teenagers, who are normally interested in the world, lose interest in learning.



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ESL job interview question: How would you get subject matter across to the ESL students? What strategies would you use?

Recommended answer:


You could say that you make your lessons more visual (use animations, pictures, concept maps, etc.) and would make sure you would teach important vocabulary along with whatever material is being covered.



You will find more ESL job interview questions with provided answers here...

ESL job interview question: What would you never want to do as a teacher, and why?


Recommended answers:

I would never want to yell at my students. I also would not want to think that there was nothing more for me to learn from my students.

Or:

I just finished student teaching in a school where I saw several teachers yell at the students. I also grew up going to the schools in the same town. I was so disappointed to the point where I have started writing a letter of complaint. I just think it is so hurtful to yell at a student. I understand everyone gets frustrated but it is better to take a deep breath. When the teacher yells, the teacher loses control and that is not a good thing. 



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ESL job interview question: Name three reasons why you became a teacher

Recommended answers:


I not only have three reasons but I have a long passionate story to go with it.


(1) Just like some kids dreamed of being a fire-fighter or nurse, I dreamed of being a teacher because I felt it was the most important profession.


(2) I really have a passion for learning and would like to pass that on to others.


(3) I love children and that fact along with my skills, attributes and personality make teaching the perfect profession for me.

Or:

For the reasons I became a teacher I think I would say something like this:

(1) The first reason I became a teacher is that I love children and enjoy working with children. I feel that everyone who goes into teaching needs to love children.


(2) In my view, variety is the spice of life. As a teacher I really feel as if every day is a different day, while in many other jobs every day is the same. Every day in a teacher's life is unique. There are different challenges to face and new decisions to be made. 


(3) My third reason is that I love to learn and help others to learn. As a teacher I am constantly learning and helping my students to learn and see the "light bulb" go off in their heads as they finally understand something that they have been trying to understand for a while.



More job interview questions-answers...



ESL job interview question: Tell me about a time that you misjudged a person


Recommended answer:


There was a long-time teacher at a school who was very gruff when he spoke to me. At first, I went out of my way to get his approval. Then I realized that he was compounding the problem. So I observed how he interacted with other teachers and discovered I wasn't alone. He was gruff with most people. I quit trying to gain his approval and, in the process, found out had learned his behavior from a former principal he had had whom he admired. 

ESL job interview question: Describe yourself as a teacher in three negative adjectives.

Recommended answers:

The adjectives should not be so much negative that you would not get the job, for example: 

perfectionist (see the negative side of it? And also positive?), 
fast (it is not always good to be too fast but in many cases it is OK to be fast) 
workaholic (not enough time for leisure, although it is good for an employer if you work much); 
emotional (you can elaborate: being too much emotional makes my life more complicated), 
straightforward (i.e. perhaps too open too simple for some people) and
indecisive (if an urgent action has to be taken I usually tell a superior before I take an action).  

You can think of a few suitable ‘negative’ adjectives which describe you as an ESL teacher. Write them down. Prepare to explain them and give examples with each of them. Also, prepare a few ‘negative’ adjectives that describe you as a person.



ESL job interview question: 
What are your weaknesses?


Job interview question: 
What color is your brain?


Job interview question: 
What is your English teaching philosophy?


Job interview question: 
What is the purpose for using KWL charts?


Job interview question: 
What are the duties and responsibilities of a teacher?


Job interview question: 
What ESL activities in small classes would you suggest?


Job interview question: 
How do you know if you met objectives? 


Job interview question: 
What are the advantages and the disadvantages of the communicative language teaching method?


Job interview question: 
If I walked into your classroom, what would I see going on?


Job interview question: 
What are your classroom rules? 


Job interview question: 
How do you know how long to spend on your objectives?


Job interview question: 
What are the most important issues facing your profession today?


Job interview question: 
Describe yourself as a teacher in three negative adjectives.


Job interview question: 
What types of teachers do you know?


Job interview question: 
What are the signs of a poor teacher?



ESL job interview question: What do you want from this position?

Recommended answer:


Describe your ideal job and include a few descriptive adjectives that summarize the institution, the job and yourself. Be realistic and brief. Do not mention salary, unless you are asked a direct question about it.


ESL job interview question: Can you give me an example of your creativity skills?

Recommended answer:


Give examples that prove your creativity in such fields as student motivation, classroom management or new teaching material design; tell how you use games for ESL teaching purposes; how you apply grammar in kinesthetic learning environment; how you use a combination of methods to improve teaching standards at various levels. Give a few examples, if possible.



ESL job interview question: Why do you change jobs so often? / Why have you had so many jobs?

Recommended answer:


If you have had many jobs, describe the positives. You were gaining experience and useful skills; you travelled and gained cross-cultural experience, etc. Relate your experience to the position that you are applying for. 


Here is an example answer for a well-travelled ESL teacher: 

My object of research as well as my interest and hobby is cross-cultural communication. I like travelling and I want to learn about cultures, traditions and languages of the world. The best way of studying another culture is living and working among people of that particular culture and learning from the local people. Travelling and learning about the world gave me an excellent opportunity to grow academically and professionally.


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ESL job interview question: You seem to have little experience in ESL teaching. How do you intend to perform well in this job?

Answer


Although I have little experience in ESL teaching, I have a lot of theoretical knowledge in this field. This theoretical knowledge will help me to pick up practical skills as soon as I start teaching. 


Tell them that your classmates and teachers have always considered you as a fast learner.

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ESL job interview question: What things impress you in your colleagues?

Recommended answer:


You can mention the following nouns: enthusiasm, positive attitude, integrity, open-mindedness, and competence.


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ESL job interview question: What is your management style?

Recommended answer:


I consider myself as a relater. I focus on people and interpersonal relationships. When a person comes to me with a problem, I try to discuss and investigate the problem with the person, and I learn together with that person. I never try to tell people how they have to think or what they have to do. Instead, I work together with people and leave people to decide upon the answers and actions to be taken.




More questions with provided answers...


ESL job interview question: Can you adjust yourself to rapidly changing environment?

Recommended answer:


I consider myself as a person who can easily adjust to changing environment. 

I never had problems in this respect. I travelled much and I worked in different countries in summer camps with different people. [Give an example]


ESL job interview question: What qualities do you think will be required for this job?

Recommended answer:

Job requirements are usually in the job advertisement. Study the job advertisement and ask yourself what additional qualities may be needed for that particular position. 

Additional skills may include ability to work independently as well as a part of a team, cross-cultural communication, leadership, supervisory, analytical, problem solving, creativity and student behavior management. 



More job interview questions-answers:

ESL job interview question: 
What are your weaknesses?

Job interview question: 
What color is your brain?

Job interview question: 
What is your English teaching philosophy?

Job interview question: 
What is the purpose for using KWL charts?

Job interview question: 
What are the duties and responsibilities of a teacher?

Job interview question: 
What ESL activities in small classes would you suggest?

Job interview question: 
How do you know if you met objectives? 

Job interview question: 
What are the advantages and the disadvantages of the communicative language teaching method?

Job interview question: 
If I walked into your classroom, what would I see going on?

Job interview question: 
What are your classroom rules? 

Job interview question: 
How do you know how long to spend on your objectives?

Job interview question: 
What are the most important issues facing your profession today?

Job interview question: 
Describe yourself as a teacher in three negative adjectives.

Job interview question: 
What types of teachers do you know?

Job interview question: 
What are the signs of a poor teacher?

Job interview question: 
Why the majority of the students cannot communicate in English fluently having studied English for 12 years in a school?

Job interview question:
What is your classroom discipline philosophy?

Job interview question:
What salary do you expect? 

Job interview question: 
Why are you leaving your current job?

ESL job interview question: 
What can you tell us about Hot Potatoes?


More job interview questions-answers (more than 100)

ESL job interview question: What do you think of the last school you worked for?

Recommended answer:


You should stress the positive aspects of your experience. Tell about the positive work experience that you gained and mention good qualities of that school. Tell what positive skills and experience you gained.


ESL job interview question: If I call your present employer, how will he describe you?

Recommended answer:


You should tell that your boss would describe you as a fully qualified and enthusiastic ESL teacher who can work both independently and as a part of a team. 


Job interview question: 
How do you know how long to spend on your objectives?


Job interview question: 
What are the most important issues facing your profession today?


Job interview question: 
Describe yourself as a teacher in three negative adjectives.


Job interview question: 
What types of teachers do you know?


Job interview question: 
What are the signs of a poor teacher?


Job interview question: 
Why the majority of the students cannot communicate in English fluently having studied English for 12 years in a school?


Job interview question:
What is your classroom discipline philosophy?


Job interview question:
What salary do you expect? 


Job interview question: 
Why are you leaving your current job?


ESL job interview question: 
What can you tell us about Hot Potatoes?


ESL job interview question: What would you do if your superior tells you to do something that you know is not right in the way of doing?

Recommended answer:


I always accept the fact that people, from time to time, make mistakes, and I am not an exception in this case. I would bring to light the issue, explain my way of reasoning, and if my superior still insists I would follow his or her order. Afterwards, I would reflect on this matter and try to understand why my superior had chosen that approach. It often happens that there are two or more ways of doing the same job or solving the same problem - and both ways are very efficient.  Perhaps this would be an opportunity for me to learn to apply new methods and techniques or gain some new skills that I never knew of before.



ESL job interview question: 
What are your weaknesses?


Job interview question: 
What color is your brain?


Job interview question: 
What is your English teaching philosophy?


Job interview question: 
What is the purpose for using KWL charts?


Job interview question: 
What are the duties and responsibilities of a teacher?


Job interview question: 
What ESL activities in small classes would you suggest?


Job interview question: 
How do you know if you met objectives? 



ESL job interview question: What do you enjoy most about your current / last job?

Recommended answer:

Try an answer similar to this one: 

As an educator and, therefore, a constant learner, I take great joy in sharing my knowledge, wisdom, experience and passion with my students. My biggest joy is to watch students succeed through the motivation that I have cultivated over the past few months.

You should give at least one example. Also, you can add that you are looking forward to expanding your experience in your new position if they employ you.

More ESL job interview questions with provided answers:
http://www.esldrive.com/findajob/jobinterviewqa.html


ESL job interview question: What are your weaknesses?

Recommended answer:


Give a 'positive’ weakness. The question does not require from you to tell a weakness that is related to the position you are applying for, therefore you can give a weakness which is not directly related to the position. To achieve more objectivity, speak about your weakness from another person’s perspective, e.g. your colleague, spouse or friend: my colleagues say that I am..., or my husband says that I am..., etc.


You can answer: ‘When I become very much focused on an important task I am very scrupulous about details. It takes some efforts and time from me to accomplish the task: I work overtime and sometimes miss appointments for dinners with my friends; my wife/husband argues that this is my worst weakness. Although I enjoy doing my job, others tell me that I am a perfectionist.’ 

Also, emphasize the steps and actions that you have taken to overcome your weakness: ’I have a diary in which I record my appointments; in addition, I ask my wife/husband to remind me about my weakness, whenever I am involved in my work’. 

Also, if you are a workaholic person, i.e. often spend long hours working till late at night - you can mention that being a workaholic person is your ‘weakness’ too, and your family members are not happy about it.


You will find more ESL job interview questions with provided answers here...


ESL job interview question: What kind of ELT software have you used in the classroom?

Recommended answer:


You should demonstrate your knowledge and experience in teaching courses related to ELT (English Language Teaching): CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning), CAT (Computer Assisted Translation software), Moodle, Hot Potatoes, etc.

You should talk about Moodle, Hot Potatoes; CALL software; you can also mention MALL software.

ESL job interview question: You are teaching ESL to Spanish speakers but you do not speak Spanish. Your students are having difficulty in understanding. What can you do?


Recommended answer:


I go to http://translate.google.com and use this powerful, free online translation tool. It translates for me not only a word but also a website, a document, or a lesson plan. In this way, I have no difficulty in teaching ESL to Spanish students, Portuguese students, Chinese students, Vietnamese students, Russian students, Thai students, Italian students, etc.


ESL job interview question: What can you tell us about Moodle?

Recommended answer:

The acronym MOODLE stands for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment. It has a few other names: Course Management System, Learning Management System, or Virtual Learning Environment. 

Moodle has the following features:
  
  • Assignment submission
  • Discussion forum
  • Files download
  • Grading
  • Moodle instant messages
  • Online calendar
  • Online news and announcement (College and course level)
  • Online quiz
  • Wiki

Some Moodle hosting providers allow educators to create Moodle-based online classes.

Similar question...



Job interview question: 
What ESL activities in small classes would you suggest?


Job interview question: 
How do you know if you met objectives? 


Job interview question: 
What are the advantages and the disadvantages of the communicative language teaching method?


Job interview question: 
If I walked into your classroom, what would I see going on?


Job interview question: 
What are your classroom rules? 


Job interview question: 
How do you know how long to spend on your objectives?


Job interview question: 
What are the most important issues facing your profession today?


Job interview question: 
Describe yourself as a teacher in three negative adjectives.


Job interview question: 
What types of teachers do you know?


Job interview question: 
What are the signs of a poor teacher?



Get more ESL job interview questions with provided answers, click HERE...


ESL job interview question: What is the difference between an error and a mistake?

Recommended answer:


Errors can be made by people and by computers. People can also make mistakes. Computers cannot make mistakes

There are many definitions of error. The terms error and mistake are not synonymous. There is a big difference between an error and a mistake in the second language classroom.

The speaker who makes a mistake is able to recognize it as a mistake and can correct it. An error is systematic, i.e. it occurs regularly and is not recognized by the ESL learner. 

Computers make only errors. Humans make errors and mistakes


ESL job interview question: What is the role of self-assessment in your classroom?


Recommended answer:


I divide my class into small groups and my students give speeches to those small groups. I give the evaluation rubrics to the small group members and they fill them in. There is a discussion at the end of each presentation. Students find out their own weaknesses. The students feel too shy to give speeches to the whole class but they feel more relaxed and perform better in small groups.

ESL job interview question: How would you encourage reluctant readers?


Recommended answers:

I encourage reluctant readers by having them seek out books in a genre that they are interested, i.e. fiction, newspaper, science fiction, etc.

Or:

I help students find books that are of interest to them. First, I find out what their interest is – travelling, music, type of sports, etc. Then I make those books available for students to read. 


I tell them about the book that I have recently read. I share with them my opinion about it.

Get more ideas here...


ESL job interview question: People say that some children just do not want to learn. Do you agree?


Recommended answer:


No, absolutely not! I think that maybe they have not had the material presented in a way they can understand. It is up to us, educators, to find the way that works for the learner.


ESL job interview question: Do you believe all students can learn?


Recommended answers:


(1) Every student has his or her point of challenge. If I have done my job and pushed each student to their own point of challenge, and check in with them frequently enough to assess their progress, there is no question that each student can learn. The solution to this is to have a very interactive relationship with students.

Or:

(2) Yes, all students can learn. The key to ensuring this is to find what works best for the individual learner. Finding out how the student learns best, i.e. what type of memory he or she has: kinesthetic, auditory or visual memory. The next step is to find each student’s interests and relate the concept being taught to their interests.


ESL job interview question: What do you like about the job of an ESL teacher?

Recommended answer


Tell about new challenge or the opportunity to bring fresh experience to the school and to share your experience with others, for example, 


‘I have a great passion for learning and learners, and I think that the best way to learn is by teaching. I belong to the category of those persons who are not satisfied until they have shared all that they have gained with their students. I believe that teaching is a continual bilateral process of learning and sharing, especially in an ESL classroom where I use a combination of communicative, content-based and kinesthetic method of teaching.’ 

You can also reflect on the following: 

‘An ESL teacher’s job is based on imagination and creativity. It is also related to a great variety of stimulating activities and unlike many other jobs, has no real monetary value. The profit is in my learners. In my opinion ESL teaching is a very satisfying job.’

ESL job interview question: How much do you want to know about your students in order to be helpful to them?


Recommended answers:

(1) I want to know what they already know about the concept we are working on, their background and interests, what experiences they have had.

Or:

(2) I like to give every kid a new beginning when they walk into my classroom. So I wouldn't want to know of any previous behavior problems. I would only want to know information that would be vital for me to know.


ESL job interview question: The parents in this classroom are very comfortable with the current teacher. Some of them are going to have difficulty with this transition. How will you handle those situations?

Recommended answer:

I would call the parents before the start of school to introduce myself, invite them to observe in my classroom, and address any stressors they had about the transition head-on. I've been in that situation before, and told them so; at my last school, some kids had had the same teacher since they were three before I came along. (They were between eleven and thirteen, so that's a long time!)



You will find more ESL job interview questions-answers here:

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ESL job interview question: If I were to call your references, what might they say about you?

Recommended answer:

My references would be likely to say that I am energetic and creative. They would point out that I sometimes get excited about a topic and deviate from my lesson plan to further explore it, sometimes exceeding the allotted time for that particular subject. Many of my former supervisors and colleagues recognize that I enjoy the process of writing and implementing IEPs. They will also tell you that I still get nervous before IEP meetings, but less so, the longer I teach. 


More questions with provided answers...

ESL job interview question: What do you look for in a principal?

Recommended answer:


A principal should serve as a role model for me and for my students. I want to feel comfortable bringing questions and concerns to the administration. A good principal would never be a micro-manager.



You will find more ESL job interview questions with provided answers here...

ESL job interview question: When you think about your students, in what major ways do you most want to influence their lives?

Recommended answer:


I want my students to become critical thinkers, to be of good character, and to love learning.



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ESL job interview question: List and describe two core teaching strategies you most utilized in your classroom

Recommended answer:


I utilize All-write strategy and Cooperative Learning Strategy.



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ESL job interview question: What are your reasons for wanting to teach in our district?

Recommended answer:


The mission statement of the district matches my philosophy of teaching. I believe that students learn best when they are actively engaged in their own learning in a safe and positive atmosphere that fosters a lifelong love of learning. I would also like to teach in your district b/c as a member of the City community; my daughter will be attending school here, etc., etc., etc. [give a clear reason WHY...]


More q-a here...

ESL job interview question: Why is collaboration important? What will you do to collaborate?

Recommended answer:


Teachers are the best resource for other teachers. Collaborating with teachers gives new teachers ideas from veterans and vet teachers get a fresh new perspective from new teachers.


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ESL job interview question: What four key components do you believe you must include in your plan?


Recommended answers:

(1) introducing the new concept
(2) relating the concept to prior knowledge
(3) modelling and guiding
(4) independent work time for students

Or

(1) student friendly objectives
(2) background knowledge
(3) words that may be in the lesson that they will need to know
(4) ways for me to check for understanding




ESL job interview question: How to increase English language teaching standards in our country?


Recommended answer:


To increase English language teaching standards, it is important to arrange training courses for teachers, reduce class sizes, improve school infrastructure, and produce culturally appropriate learning materials for students. I believe that this would create positive learning environment and enable to increase English teaching standards.

ESL job interview question: Why is the communicative language teaching method not used by many ESL teachers worldwide?


Recommended answer:


There are four basic reasons why communicative language teaching method is not implemented in many schools :

  1. Teachers were not trained to use communicative language teaching  method
  2. Student numbers in classes are too big, therefore it is difficult to implement this method effectively
  3. There is a lack of teaching and learning materials
  4. There are no suitable libraries and well equipped language labs for using this method effectively.

ESL job interview question: Tell us about the communicative language teaching method

Recommended answer:


The Communicative Language Teaching Method can be used successfully at various levels because it motivates students and enhances the development of the four basic language skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing - in real-life situations. In addition to language skills, students develop their life skills. This method also develops critical thinking skills.

Practical experience of most teachers showed that the Communicative Language Teaching Method is a very effective method of teaching foreign languages worldwide. 

ESL job interview question: Tell us about the Community Language Learning Method

Recommended answer:


Community Language Learning (CLL) method was developed by Charles A. Curran. It applies psychological counseling techniques to learning. Learners in a classroom were not regarded as a class but as a group in need of certain therapy and counseling. Basic procedures of Community Language Learning derives from counselor-client relationship open interpersonal communication and the role of supportive community was emphasized. Community Language Learning was designed to ease the anxiety of foreign language learners in educational contexts and promote group dynamics. 

In Community Language Learning, the aim is to involve the learner's whole personality. The teacher understands the fears of the learner and vulnerabilities as they struggle to master another language by being sensitive to the learner’s fear. The teacher can turn the negative energy of those fears into positive energy and enthusiasm for learning. This methodology is not based on the usual methods by which languages are taught rather the approach is patterned upon counseling techniques and adapted to the peculiar anxiety and threat as well as the personal and language problems a person encounters in the learning of foreign languages. Consequently, the learner is not thought of as a student but as a client. The language-counseling relationship begins with the client's linguistic confusion and conflict. Then slowly the teacher-counselor strives to enable him to arrive at his own increasingly independent language adequacy (Nagaraj 2009).

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ESL job interview question: What do you need to know in order to begin your lesson planning for a class?


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In order to begin my lesson planning for a class I would need to know what my students already know about the subject so I know where to begin in my lesson.


Lesson planning is very important. A well prepared lesson plan can help the teacher to increase quality of teaching. To learn more, click HERE...


ESL job interview question: What three things do you most want to know about your students? What do they already know, what are they are interested in, and how do they learn best?


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I want to know the following three things:

  1. My students' level of English, 
  2. Any medical information about them (allergies, inhaler they take, etc.), 
  3. Their interests, so I could incorporate them into my lessons.
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ESL job interview question: Tell us about structural-situational language teaching method

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Structural-situational language teaching method was developed by British applied linguists in the 1930s to the 1960s

Language presentation and practice was situational. All techniques of audio lingual method and situation considered as use of concrete objects, pictures with gestures and actions. Speaking and listening were most important.  It gave rise to the idea of PPP (presentation, practice, production) in which target item presented as semi-controlled practice and free practice role-playing. 

Focus was primarily given to speech which was regarded as the basis of language and structure was viewed as being the heart of speaking ability. This led to less importance to other abilities such as writing.

This method had been criticized for being time-consuming, insistence on giving the meaning of words and structures through dramatization, demonstration and association without resorting to the mother tongue had led to the using of roundabout technique which was time wasting. The learner was expected to deduce the meaning of a particular structure or vocabulary item from the situation in which it was presented which might lead to confusion on the part of the learner and misunderstanding. The learner was expected to apply the language learned in the classroom to situations outside the classroom. The problem was  not guaranteed that learners would apply what they have learned, and even if they were willing to do so it was not guaranteed that they would be able to do it especially in countries where the language learned is not used frequently. Errors were not tolerated. This could cause stress which may hinder the learning process. Accuracy in both pronunciation and grammar were regarded as crucial. Eventually, there was no mention of communication ability in this method (Al Humidi 1989).

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