Job Discussion Forums

[Meron-san]

Hello everyone, I have just registered because I am really interested in Teaching English in Japan.

I have got an interview coming up in a few weeks, and it requires me to write up a 30 min Lesson Plan and give a presentation for 5min (like a role play snippet of my lesson).

It seems like a lot of the people in this forum have experience, so I though why not ask for some advice and pointers. This task seems quite straight-forward for me, but I would appreciate if someone had info on all the things I should definitly include in the lesson plan, and what pitfalls to avoid when pitching to them.

Any help would be much appreciated!

supashi-bo

Meron-san

[angrysoba]

Try searching the forum. I believe that whole lesson plans have been posted in the past.

[talis13]

I had my interviews back in...February, and they went well I feel. Overall, they are looking for more student speaking time. So, if you prepare a lesson where students are interacting with you or with each other (ideally both), I think you should be fine. And I don't think there's any 'set' list of items to be included in a lesson plan. After all, lessons tend to shift if the students' attention does.
My biggest suggestions...PREPARE your lesson! Seems obvious, but along with prepare, practice it as well. It not only makes you more comfortable, but you are able to give a better lesson overall as well. I only interviewed with a small group, but you coud tell who prepared most and least.
Also, enjoy yourself. Have a pleasant attitude when you're giving your lesson. Don't force smiles (if you're forcing a smile, why are you there anyways?) or act like you've had a wretched day on an airplane or whatever.
Hope that helps a little bit. If you'd like assistance in tweaking a lesson you've already prepared, I would be happy to help: feel free to IM me. Good luck with your lesson planning and interview!

[patsensei]

[ps2_machine]

Hehe,
obviously they need a free idea for lesson plans, so they get lesson plans to use after your interview.

[guest of Japan]

[Meron-san]

Hey guys thank you for all the help and advice, you're really putting me in the right direction.

I will try to come up with some lesson plans and might show them to some of you if that's ok. I'm pretty stressed with my final exams but will try not to let that affect my interview.

I am learning japanese at the moment and was thinking of mentioning at the interview that I have started to take lessons and have great enthusiasm for the job. I was even considering speaking some japanese to introduce myself when I get there. Is this a good or bad move???

you guys have been a great help especially talis13, patsensei. Cheers guys and keep it coming

Japan here I come (hopefully)

Ganbatte kudasai lol


p.s. what does jare jare mean??

[guest of Japan]

Don't use any Japanese during your interview. There is no need to mention that you are studying Japanese. If it comes up then fine, but from their point of view they are hiring you to be an English teacher. Not only is your Japanese is skill not a priority to them, but it is also a threat. You could potentially use Japanese in the class, study during no lesson times, or come across as too aware of Japanese people. They actually prefer that you know very little.

[wolfman]

[guest of Japan]

It's probably fine if it is just a piece of the essay. You should also mention your travel experiences, wanting to get to know Japan and Japanese people as a resident as opposed to a tourist, and most importantly your desire to teach help others improve themselves.

[wolfman]

[luckyloser700]

Think carefully about that 5 minutes that you're going to present. You will be cut off if you go over so run through it a few times and time yourself. A little short of 5 mins is OK, but you probably don't want to be forced to end it early; in five minutes not much of what you prepared should be trivial so you'll be bummed if you miss the chance to show them everything you've got.
Once you've got your 5-minute presentation down, design the rest of your lesson around it. Make it seem as if all of the stuff that's written in your lesson plan, but will not be presented, would obviously lead the students into whatever 5 minute activity you've prepared. You will get 20-30 seconds to explain what it is you're assuming your students already know at the beginning of the 5 minutes. As stated in a previous post already, be sure to keep your "students" (other candidates) involved and be prepared for at least one of them to make it as difficult as possible for you (you're not necessarily competing for one position, but there's always someone who goes overboard with the dog-eat-dog strategy).

[Meron-san]

Thanks guys I don't have that much time so thanks a lot for all the help, its a lot to take in but better now than on the day.

Also they secified that I should either perform my presentation with a certain class skill level in mind.

I should either prepare for a beginner, intermediate or advanced group and the presentation should reflect that. Would it necessarily mean if i was to chose beginners that it would easier. I was intending to do it for intermediate or advanced, to keep me interested throughout the year, but would find it also harder to prepare for.

any ideas??

[Perpetual Traveller]

[luckyloser700]