Job Discussion Forums

dbooster · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Okazaki

Hey all - I have an interview with AEON this coming thursday and I am writing up my lesson plan right now. Having no teaching experience at all, this has been rather tricky, but I found a basic book (pamphlet) at the library and chose a lesson about countable and non-countable nouns. Anyways, my question to all of you just involves how to write this up. I couldn't find any sample format for the actual lesson plan. Even tho this is only a sample 15-minute lesson plan, I'm sure I want it to look relatively professional when I give it to them. I wrote an Objective at the top, a short Purpose, and then a detailed description for a page. Does that sound about right?

probably worried over nothing
-dave

Joannda · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 43 Location: Japan!

Hey,
Don't stress too much about it, by the sounds of things you are pretty much on track Smile

I wouldn't give too much detail on the lesson plan, just write the main things down, even just in bullet form should be ok. But, it's great that you have written down an objective and purpose, as the point of the lesson will be important. It would be great if you had something like a worksheet to hand out to the 'students' too.
Good luck!

worlddiva · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 1:39 pm Post subject:

Hey dbooster!

Good luck with your interview. I wouldn`t worry about it too much...For the lesson plan you might want to include the following:

1.Objective
2. Target language or structure
3. couple of vocab words
4. supplies (things you`ll be using to present your lesson)
5. level of students (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
6. lesson outline (activities, games, practice)
7. Review
8. Homework...although you won`t be giving any
9. maybe a self-evaluation section if you like

The important thing is to make the lesson fun and easy to follow
Try to include some realia if possible (pictures, magazine clippings etc.

The important thing is to keep smiling and no matter what don`t let them see you sweat so if you make a mistake just keep going like nothing happened. (don`t stop and say uh....what I meant was...)

Smile and be energetic.

Good luck and let me know how it goes.
ps: i previously posted on my experience in the interview process so if you do a search for aeon you should find it.

dbooster · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Okazaki

Thanks! I will add a few of those. I'm not quite sure what other props I could add to my lesson to make it more fun, tho. I was planning on shortly introducing the topic, then making two lists on the board, one of about 5 countable nouns and one of about 5 non-countable nouns. I would then review each term listed and then ask the room if they could think of any and which category they would place it in. Not sure how to add any props to this one.

Er...come to think of it, will I have access to a board to write on?

-dave

bzakka · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 48 Location: Santiago, Chile

hey dbooster...

I did a stint at AEON and i can tell you that they aren't looking for substance, they're looking for style. They are going to train you in their own methods anyway, so they don't pay too much attention about the format of your lesson. Keep it as simple as possible, focusing only on 6-7 vocab words and maybe a VERY easy sentence to go along with it.

What they want is smiling, energetic people who focus on getting the students to speak as much as possible. You lesson should be visual, fun, light-hearted, and engaging. That's the whole idea.

And they want teachers who are going to stick it out the entire year no matter what.

-bzakka

If this is your first interview with them, don't sweat it. Save that for the second one (if you get it) !!!!

worlddiva · Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 1:10 pm Post subject:

you should have a board but maybe bring a poster already made, in case you don`t!

I agree with bzakka... make it fun and be enegertic. They will teach you their own format.

dbooster · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Okazaki

Well, I was rejected. Today I received the letter I was waiting for, but it didn't say what I wanted it to. I was called back for the 2nd interview, and I had thought it went very well, so I am rather confused as to why I wasn't accepted. I do wish they had included a reason or two so I know what I can do to improve my chances next time.

A few questions:

I have an interview with NOVA on the 8th of next month. Can I expect a similar interview or something different? They emailed me a background check form today - looks like I have to pay 60 bucks just for the interview!

What other schools are in Japan I can apply to? I know of Jet, which I plan on applying to if NOVA also rejects me when the app period for 2006 opens up. I have heard of GEOS, but need a link to it. What others are out there? I have friends around the Kansai area, so of course I would prefer a school near there.

Thanks!
-david

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

das · Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 15

odd, I just went to the personal interview today and they told me what I did right and what I did wrong.

for alternatives, I reccomend ECC, its not w/o it's issues, but it certainly is more reccomendable than Nova or Geos.

almondbbtea · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Canada

Hello, I checked out ECC's website and they seem to be a pretty good school. I liked that they had such things as Free Time lessons (just like NOVA) plus you don't get stressed out because you only work 29.5 hrs/wk. (you can work more hours if you want to make extra $$). Most other schools you work 9 hrs/day which equals to about 45 hrs/wk. (or 8 working/teaching hrs/day = 40 hrs/wk). Anyways, I have a quick question regarding their schedule, this is a sample daily schedule:

SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE FOR 3 - 9pm SHIFT
3:00-3:15 STAFF HELP
3:30-4:20 KIDS (age 4-5)
4:35-5:35 KIDS (age 6- Cool

5:50-6:30 FREE TIME LESSON
6:40-7:20 FREE TIME LESSON
7:30-9:00 REGULAR CLASS(Intermediate level)

Do you really work for 6 hours STRAIGHT?! There is no break??? Unless you count the 15 min. in between but that should be used for lesson preparation. I mean, in Canada the law is, if you work 5 hours or more, your employer must give you a 1/2 hour break. Just wondering... that's the only thing I am worried about about ECC, otherwise they seem to be a really good school to work for! (hey, offer 7 weeks of vacation, which other school offers this?! Very Happy

).

Also, what cities do you work in... is ECC all over Japan?! Wonder if you could choose.

Thanx if you could answer my question.

dbooster · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Okazaki

Das, you misunderstood me. I did receive feedback on my lesson plan at the 2nd interview. It was positive. What I wish they would have provided me with is feedback on why I wasn't accepted. Y'know, standard interview stuff: We always want to know why we didn't make the grade when we don't get a job.

I agree that ECC really looks great. What's the catch? Is there any feedback about ECC on this board?

das · Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 15

das · Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 15

bleh, I am now in the same boat as you Dbooster. Just got a rejection e-mail from AEON. I really don't understand why, I have some teaching experience (not english but a different subject) and they complimented my teaching and professionalism. The only problem I can think of is that I did not wear a jacket on the 2nd day (wore the whole suit on the first) and that I requested to be placed near a friend, but it was not mandatory and I was willing to be placed elsewhere if they couldn't put me in.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Aeon rejectees: don't sweat and don't take it personally. aeon have a very pronounced corporate style and many people are not suited to it. Talking of suitedness, not wearing a jacket to second days interview may have been evaluated as showing unnaceptable individualism. Best save the non jacket wearing until training in Japan (hi hi).