Job Discussion Forums

[nawlinsgurl]

Ok I did a search on the board and couldn't find any info on the GEOS KIDS interviews. Anyone out there with an experience? Any advice? I'd really appreicate it. Thanks!

[madeira]

You're going to have an interview? As in, it's all set up?

I have no idea, but I read the FAQs on their site and it said they don't recruit inside Japan. (I know they bend this for adult eikaiwa when in need, though... )

The only thing I can offer is some experience teaching kids at regular GEOS eikaiwa. That's SOME... not very much. Colour naming/colour IDing games, numbers, songs, a fair amount of TPR activities such as 'hands/fingers, knees/toes for the younger kids. 'Hello' and 'goodbye' songs played every class. Colouring, printing, playdough... toys... genki, genki, genki...

Scarred, I am.

I don't think the kodomo schools take older kids or returnees. If they do, we had David Paul books for lower levels. They are very good. The kids really get into the characters and the story. They are 'grammar/language through discovery' texts. Nothing explained, just presented in a way the kids understand, are interested in and usually absorb.

Returnees had all sorts of texts. Some used texts from real schools overseas, some studied Eiken... many were good students with overbearing parents. One set of parents demanded that their children be taught only vocabulary, without any games or speaking activities. Even flashcards were deemed 'games'. Hope you don't get any of those!

That's all I have as far as info goes.

[nawlinsgurl]

Thanks! You were the only person who replied But I did a search and could only find one or two things, nothing specific. Anyways, I hope this job (or another) comes through, I have been seraching for a new job for almost 2 months now. Thanks for the advice and email me again. I lost your address somehow!
Thanks!

[Rorschach]

I did the interview for Geos for Kids in Brisbane two years ago. It was intensive. It was a small interview with 3 other applicants. One was an Indian with a missing front tooth. The Japanese staff took one look at him and he was culled from the interview process after the first session. The interview was split over two days. On the first day it was essentially just information about the company, pay rates, holidays etc. We also watched a video following a typical Geos Kids teacher around. Lasted about 7 hours.

They were keen to stress all the paperwork we would have to do and that the school we'd be placed in would be small (essentially the teacher and the Japanese staff member). Also, they told us how we would be responsible for bringing students in ergo standing out the front of our branch handing out fliers. The second day we spent preparing a 5 minute lesson with the resources they provided. Two Japanese staff conducted the interview. Once spoke English, the other didn't and she played a really mean kid in the roleplay. This day was only 4 hours. At the end of it we were sent off and told we'd be contacted if we were successful. I was successful as I received an application package two weeks later but by that time I had already signed with Nova (extremely quick application process). I sent it back with my apologies.

My cousin came over with Geos for Kids later and she didn't have many complaints about the company in general but there was a lot of paperwork. The pay was just on the borderline to meet visa requirements and no more. She was told she couldn't do privates. In the end I'm glad I went with Nova as Geos ended up sounding like a more intensive job. I also didn't want to teach kids exclusively. Plus I like Osaka now, God knows where I would have ended up with Geos. My cousin was in the middle of nowhere and Sunkus.[/i]

[mrjohndub]

I'm a GEOS teacher (regular variety but teach a lot of kids). I'd recommend that you have some good answers for the following questions:

What do you do to get screaming, crying, undisciplined children to unlatch for their mother and stay in the classroom? Basically, how do you satisfy everybody? You've got the docile kids...they're ready for class. Their mothers are there, wanting you to begin with or without said screaming child. Then you've got your manager and the mother of the screaming child, wanting you to do something, anything to get the child to snap out of it. This could be a child you know and have had some rapport with, a new child or a child that hates you. Then you've got the child, who you've got to somehow hypnotize. You've got to do all of this at once. It's a lot of pressure. How would you do it?

How would you get kids to go easy on the Japanese in the classroom?

How would you discipline a child without touching the child or raising your voice? You are a performer, remember. These kids are used to strict teachers in their regular schools, even preschools. You aren't within that role. They view you as a pushover.

How would you handle criticism of your methods from a manager when one kid, out of say, 20 in your classes combined, wasn't motivated? Never mind that the other 19 are having a ball. And that their parents are happy. You've got a manager breathing down your neck, and she has no teaching skills or knowledge of her own. She's a salesperson. You and she need 100% satisfaction. That's never possible, so you're going to be confronted about your methods in pathetic English on a routine basis. How do you handle it?

What works for a child or a group one week can be met with blank stares or indifference the next? How well can you think on your feet?

These type of questions are some that you might not be asked explicitly, but I'd have thought about them if I were you. You'd be demonstrating a good understanding of everyday situations.

...All that said, I'm proud of how I've done with kids at all levels and age groups and am doing better everyday. I love kids and think that they are a joy all around. But it's not an easy position to be in most of the time. Come into the interviews with confidence that you can handle conflicting considerations. Make them aware that you know it won't be a walk in the park, but you're mentally prepared to handle it and thrive.