Job Discussion Forums

[younggeorge]

I was looking at summer teaching jobs at the University of Birmingham (West Midlands, not Alabama) and I see they want applicants to complete a "task". For an EAP position it's a lesson plan to exploit a given text, then a few sample student texts with the question "What would you say to this student?" There are variations for Business English and Senior teacher positions.

I can see the sense of this approach, but it isn't it a bit over-the-top for a temporary post? Has anyone come across anything similar - for any kind of position?

[lozwich]

I had a similar kind of thing for a temporary summer job in London last year. They asked me tons of questions about teaching styles, why I would/wouldn't do X thing and so on. I ended up going for another (permanent) job at a different location in the same group, and they asked me similar questions.

I've also been asked questions about my long-term career goals for 2 week positions.

Maybe its just the hiring policy of the school to ask everyone the same questions, regardless of the length of contract?

[spiral78]

In the case of Birmingham, I suppose it's because of their reputation as leaders in the field of ELS/EFL. It may be a temp position, but students come to UBham based in its reputation, so they've obviously got an interest in ensuring that any representative of their program is not just qualified, but probably also shares their general general approach/method philosophies.

[Super Mario]

For a 14 week university ELICOS job [in Australia] I had to supply a lesson plan with my application. Then, before the interview, I had to assess a piece of student work and make recommendations re ways that student could improve.
Cruel but fair.