Job Discussion Forums

[sa girl]

Hi there

I plan to arrive in Taiwan soon and go job searching but I have heard that some schools would require me to do a demo. What do I have to do, what is expected from me? Please let me know what you did?

Thanks
sa girl

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[brian]

Don't worry too much about the demo. It is generally pretty much a formality in the process of both confirming that you are a suitable applicant for the school and in order to aide the powers that be decide which level students you are best suited to teach. Don't go too fast, keep a smile on your face, keep good eye contact and try not to be too nervous. It can be difficult teaching a group of adults as if they were children but remember that they do it all day so don't worry too much.

Although demos will vary the following should hopefully help:

Vocab
Due to time restrictions you may be best to select a few words to concentrate on. Try to use different methods of introducing the words such as flash cards, drawing on the board (may need to prepare this just prior to starting your demo) and acting things out (TPR). Bear all of this in mind if you are given a choice of units - make sure that you choose something that you would like to present.

Grammar
Different people have different ways to present, but it is generally good to write the grammar point on the board. Use different colored markers to denote the important points - but don't go overboard, you don't want a rainbow!

The general process of all of the above will be for you to say it first while they listen, say and have them repeat, say it together, they say it when you point and then individual practice.

The things that they will be looking for is organisation of your class along the lines of:

Present - you teach the stuff
Practice - give them a chance to practice
Closure - this is where you do an activity to follow up on what they have learned.

What to watch out for:

The observers may speak Chinese, talk amonsgt themselves or play up to see how you react. Dont ignore this opportunity to impress them. Address the problem and encourage them to behave.

Dont forget to play a game. Choose something simple such as musical chairs. Dont spend time explaining the game, join in and show them by example. Practice the grammar point by asking the student without a chair to answer a question.

That's it! Sounds worse than it is.

[Fortigurn]

This is excellent Brian, I learned a lot from that, thanks.

[sa girl]

Thank you for your advice brian i do appreciate the help.