Job Discussion Forums

[denise]

Well said, Gregor. I don't think it sounds harsh at all. There certainly is more to teaching than knowing a bunch of SLA theories.

I'm one of the ones who apparently didn't read the OP carefully enough (ooops!) to see that it was about job interviews and not about classroom behavior. If it is the interview that is the problem, then, uh, I retract what I said... For the duration of the interview, yes, do try to project a more outgoing personality. Don't overdo it, though, because if you get the job they'll likely see that you're not as bubbly-headed as they thought you were. Ideally, once you get into the classroom, your supervisors will trust you enough to leave you alone, and you can be yourself again.

d

[Gordon]

Good post Gregor.

You have to be very forthright in an interview. I try to project myself as the best teacher they've ever seen and I try to have an answer for everything. You can't hum and haw about a response. Try to anticipate the questions because often they are repetitive.

If you are not onfident in an interview, they think you will stink as a teacher.

[some waygug-in]

Thanks for all your responses, especially Gregor who noted that I was talking about job interviews. (well mostly) Not harsh at all, just what I needed to hear.

Now if I can just project some confidence in my interview this afternoon.................

cheers

[Gregor]

some waygug-in,
If you are still worried about your ability to show confidence in an interview, then you are demonstrating that you aren't taking my advice to heart.
Don't you trust me? :-)
Seriously - in this business, if you act like you know what you're doing, then, you know what your doing.

Really??

No, not really. You'll get better at it as you go along. I just cringe to think about some of my own lessons just a couple years ago.
The thing is, teaching isn't a science. Language and language aquisition is becoming one, but there are a lot of questions that aren't even close to being answered. Seriously. You have to take my word on this and just go into the interview with the attitude that you know what you are doing.
Of course, you don't know what you are doing. But none of us do. Not really. Some of us have experience and from that we can surmise that this will work and that won't. But anyone who says that one theory works and some other doesn't is only talking from his or her own personal experience. What works for you and your students may not work for me and mine.
The point is that if you can just pretend that you know everything there is to know about teaching, and just bring up your own recent experience, you will get the job. Even Noam flippin' Chomsky can't prove you wrong on any theories. Especially if your students' English improves.
You just need to get the job. Sure, it makes you nervous to make stuff up on the fly when you're talking to potential employers, but (and, people, back me up here) you're in Asia. These people learn to teach English using their native language almost exclusively. Almost anything you can think to do, including teaching class in an opium-induced stupor, is going to be more effective than what the students will get in their regular schools.
In other words, compared with what you have learned on the job and from your teacher training, they have no flippin' clue how to teach English.
To put it even more simply than that - you know more than you think you know. You don't know me, but what have you got to lose? Go into the next interview acting like you are THE sh*t-hot teacher of all time, act professional, and, as professionally as possible, make it clear to them that YOU are doing THEM a favor by submitting to the interview.
AND! If they want a demo lesson, submit to it with enthusiasm. Teach the demo like you would teach any lesson. If you really can communicate and connect with the students, they will be much more impressed than you think. Really - they have no idea how to teach English.
In fact, if they don't ask for a demo lesson, volunteer to do one. And be ready for it, but they will almost surely not call you on it. It will likely impress them enough that you volunteer.
But be ready to do one, just in case!
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[some waygug-in]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. It's not that I lack faith in my abilities as a teacher, far from it. It's that a lot of the schools here have a cookie cutter idea of what a teacher should be and my lack of confidence comes from trying to "fit in" to their expectations.

Judging by the responses in this and many other threads, it should be apparent that there are as many types and approaches to teaching EFL as there are opinions. I thank everyone for taking the time to respond.

Perhaps I should count my blessings that these high pressure cookie cutter schools aren't very interested in hiring me, and I will happily go to someplace where they will let me do my own thing, "so to speak".

I don't claim to be the best teacher, because I know that I am not, but that doesn't mean I am not a good teacher. I do the best I can with what I'm given and if I have learned anything in my 5 years as a teacher it's that each job has its own set of challenges. I have to adapt my teaching style to suit the situation, the different students, the expectations etc. I can use my experience from previous jobs or classes to help me, but it's still kind of a trial and error thing to see what will work with this group at this time etc.

A lot of the time, just showing an interest in the students lives and showing that I care about their progress gets me further than all the teaching theories and pedagogical approaches.

Anyway, thanks again for your input. My interview went well yesterday, but still no word from the school. That usually means that I should keep looking.

Happy trails.

[P-T]

Hey some waygug-in, have you actually ever been out of work? Or do you just have to go through an awful lot of interviews to stay in work?

If you haven't been out of work, quit worrying. Those nasty little people chipping away at your self esteem aren't worth your time.

I've been a recruiter in a former life, & I can assure you it's not all about being one particular personality type. It's more about 'team-fit', or personal preference (which is often mis-guided). If you have to fake it, you're going to hate the place even before they get to be disappointed in you!

The 2nd best thing you can do is anticipate the questions you're likely to be asked, & have answers prepared. This is good for your confidence, especially when you find you can apply these same answers, with a little modification, to different questions.
You don't have to be an extrovert to wear a warm smile, give a decent handshake, & make eye-contact if it's appropriate.

The BEST thing you can do is take 5-minutes before your interview to recall the great rapport you've built with students by being yourself!

Go forth, be confident, & conquer!