ESL job interview question: How do you teach English?

Recommended answers:

This question seems to be easy at first sight, and the answer seems to be easy too, therefore many candidates do not prepare an answer to this question. Unfortunately, this is one of the most difficult questions for most candidates. Many candidates fail this job interview question because they come for an interview unprepared. I will give you an example but please do not think that this is the only and the best possible answer. This is one of the possible answers only!

Try to relate this question to your own teaching philosophy. 

  
You can answer this question in the following way:

I always tell my students, 'If you want to learn to speak you must speak'. I believe that content-based communicative way of teaching is the most productive way of teaching English. Students must use the newly learned words (which are actually their passive words, i.e. the words they had not practised in speech) in practical situations until they become active, i.e. 'their own words'. One of the most efficient ways of dealing with large size classes is by subdividing, for example, 25 students into smaller groups, i.e. 5 subgroups of 5 students. Each subgroup is given a topic for discussion. Now and then, I walk up to communicate with a subgroup, brainstorm them, and ask them questions. Students work on their topics and later one student from each subgroup gives a presentation. This is student-centered approach of teaching and it always works well. Students are exposed to natural communication. I usually make up lists of active vocabulary and different patterns for each subgroup in advance, depending on their levels. In this way, a well organized twelve-week intensive ESL course could teach an average student approximately 2500 active words. Learn more and find some useful tips here...



There are a few other possible answers to the above question:

You can explain, for example, how you develop your students' writing, reading or pronunciation skills, how you relate your assessment to teaching, how you  decide what assessment criteria you should apply. 

You will find a few more useful questions-answers here...

My teaching philosophy...

ESL job interview question: Give three adjectives that would define your strengths as an ESL teacher.

Recommended answers:

Competent, punctual, honest, objective, hard-working, sensitive, attentive (to details)...

Any more?... Yes, there are more; but you need to select them carefully. Some of these adjectives can describe you as a person while other adjectives will describe you as an ESL teacher. 

The following list of positive adjectives will be helpful: 

ambitious, persistent, agreeable, brave, calm, coherent, confident, cooperative, cultured, decisive, determined, diligent, dynamic, efficient, energetic, entertaining, enthusiastic, fair, frank, friendly, gentle, harmonious, helpful, industrious, kind, kind-hearted, knowledgeable, mature, modern, peaceful, productive, salubrious, tenacious, quiet, receptive, reflective, resolute, rhetorical, romantic, sensitive, shrewd, sincere, skillful, successful, succinct, talented, thoughtful, thrifty, tough, trustworthy, unbiased, vigorous, warm, wise, witty.

Get more useful tips here...

ESL job interview question: What are your strengths?

Recommended answer:

Select at least three strengths that are related to the position you are applying for. 

Also, it would be wise to choose at least three positive adjectives that would describe you both as an ESL teacher and as a person, such as honest, responsible, hard-working, punctual, peaceful, extrovert, teachable, etc. 

In addition, mention your basic interests, hobbies and skills that are related to the job.

You will get more ideas here...

ESL job interview question: Do you have any questions?

Recommended answer:

The recruiter asks this question because he/she wants to know how much you are interested in the position you are applying for.

The above question will probably be their last question at your job interview. If you do not ask anything, they might think that you are not interested in the position. It is best to ask two or three questions. 

Show your interest in the position. You can ask questions about teaching load, number of students in class, courses that you would teach if you were employed, etc. 

Do not ask too many questions.

Do not ask questions about salary or similar questions. You should not forget that you are at the job interview: they did not send you a job offer and they will probably not employ you.

Choose to ask two or three of the following:

• What levels of student will I be teaching?
• What is the dress code for teachers in your school?
• What is the average class size? 
• How many contact hours per week would I be required to teach?
• What types of resources and teaching aids are available in your school? 
• What kinds of professional development could your school offer me?
• What kind of mentorship can I expect in my first year?

Prepare a list of about ten questions. Write them on a sheet of paper and bring to the interview. Most probably, during the interview some of these questions will be answered indirectly. Ask those that were not answered.

Find more ESL job interview questions-answers HERE...

ESL job interview question: What strengths will you bring to our school?

Recommended answer:

You should focus on your special skills such as your ability to organize various events, sports activities, singing competitions, computer skills, website design skills, ability to design learning materials, etc. 

In addition, you can talk about your teaching experience in other schools and/or about extra-curricular activities you participated in when you were a university student. Do not forget to mention your hobbies and interests. Try to link them to the job you are applying for.

Can you do something special?

You will get a few useful tips here... 

ESL job interview question: What commitment are you prepared to make to serving our school/college?

Recommended answer:

The question actually means 'What commitment will you provide for your employer?'

Your potential employer needs to be assured that the contract will be completed and the deadlines and commitments will be met. In this case, you need to tell your interviewer that you would definitely perform your duties diligently and as required, and you would be happy to work with them for many years. You can give an example or a few examples (if you have) when you worked in the same school or college for a longer period of time. This will show that you could also be committed for your new, potential employer.

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

ESL job interview question: What has been your greatest achievement as an ESL teacher?

Recommended answers:

I wrote a textbook... / course book... / research paper.../ etc., about... (provide details).

I was awarded... (provide details).

My students became successful business people because they learned English in my classroom... My teaching was based on case studies (give details).

I applied the strategies that helped to improve their English... (give details).


There are many more possible answers... You can speak about awards, additional teaching certificates, participation in international conferences, methods of successful and effective teaching, ESL testing software that you used or created, etc.

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

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

Recommended answer:

You should not talk negatively about your current employer; and do not tell that you want a new job because you need more money.

Here is a good possible answer to the above question:

I am looking for new challenges in a prestigious school. During my discussions with one of my colleagues I got the impression that you are trying to create new programs and courses and you promote modern methods of teaching based on modern software. I got the impression that your school is very dynamic and open to innovations, especially in the field of ESL teaching.


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