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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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 Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:49 am Post subject: Interviews/demos |
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In cram schools, do they often hire people on the spot or do they wait a few days? What is the normal protocall in regards to hiring people after a demo?
Furthermore, what is even the point of asking people to teach a demo, when they expect you to teach something without giving you time to prepare anything? |
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BigWally
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 765
Location: Ottawa, CAN (prev. Kaohsiung "the Dirty South")
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| Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 1:25 pm Post subject: |
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| So you can "demo"nstrate your ability to adapt to their program...but seriously...usually it happens one of two ways, you'll be hired on the spot (less often) or they will wait a few more days (do more demos) and then let you know....calling back to let them know you're still interested doesnt hurt, but dont sound over-eager as that could hurt any negotiations you might have about your contract if you are successful... |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 2:42 am Post subject: |
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The giving of demo classes prior to employment is now illegal in Taiwan. This was made illegal as some foreign teachers who were caught working illegally just claimed that they were not teaching but giving a demo. So the government wised up and now basically made it illegal to be in a classroom unless you have a work permit.
That aside, I am a supporter of demo classes as part of the interview process. I think that they are largely misunderstood and that this is where the resentment comes in from teachers and this is the fault of the schools for not explaining the purpose of the demo class clearly to teachers before asking them to give one.
A demo to me is just a chance for the school to see how you present yourself in a teaching role. It is not so important what you teach in the demo but how you present it. Clear, structured, well paced demo classes that show a teacher with a good personality and maintain relevant eye contact, voice clarity, and speed will win you a job. |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 5:29 am Post subject: |
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| Clear, structured, well paced demo classes that show a teacher with a good personality and maintain relevant eye contact, voice clarity, and speed will win you a job. |
Well, first I did get a job but I will still complain about the demos. The first major problem is that asking someone to do a demo based on something they have never seen does not give a school any idea whether the person will present a good lesson or not. Someone might do well in an unprepared demo but not well as a teacher and are not willing to put in the time to prepare interesting lessons or to improve their teaching.
Furthermore, in 5 to 10 minutes, I don't know how one would determine if someone really had a good personality. If the schools really cared about hiring the best teacher they would also call previous references as well as a demonstration. I know that previous employers can also be biased but at least that shows a candidates teaching abilities over a long period of time.
I would compare this to drafting a baseball or football player based on one at bat. |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 9:39 am Post subject: |
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| JZer wrote: |
| The first major problem is that asking someone to do a demo based on something they have never seen does not give a school any idea whether the person will present a good lesson or not. |
From my point of view it does not matter what the content of a demo class is but the way that it is presented. Many schools have their own curricula so what they want to see in a demo is how the teacher presents - not necessarily how they present certain material.
| JZer wrote: |
| Someone might do well in an unprepared demo but not well as a teacher and are not willing to put in the time to prepare interesting lessons or to improve their teaching. |
True, but the demo is not meant to be a one step strategy for getting the perfect teacher it is just one part of a process of trying to ensure that the applicant is suited to the position.
| JZer wrote: |
| Furthermore, in 5 to 10 minutes, I don't know how one would determine if someone really had a good personality. |
I disagree with you on this. A 5-10 minute demo is invaluable in helping to sort the wheat from the chaff. It won't help to distinguish an excellent teacher from a very good one, but it will help to identify individuals who are just not cut out to teach.
Considering that this whole industry is basically built around people who happen to have a passport from the right country I don't believe that the aim of a demo is to find the perfect teacher but instead to avoid the worst. Someone could do perfectly well on paper and in an interview but flop terribly in front of a class!
| JZer wrote: |
| If the schools really cared about hiring the best teacher they would also call previous references as well as a demonstration. |
As per my comments above I don't see the aim of the demo as being an effort to find the best teacher. It should be the vetting process BEFORE the interview and demo that should strive to achieve that. The demo is merely a way for the school to see if the individual will fit into the position.
People get stressed about demos and again I think it is because schools fail to explain their purpose. The people who do best in demos are the ones who remain themselves. |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 9:54 am Post subject: |
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| Needless to say that I got a job at the place in which I performed the worst demo in my opinion. Of course, I think I got the job because I was the only person with professional teaching experience and not just with experience at cram schools. |
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forest1979
Joined: 10 Jun 2007
Posts: 507
Location: SE Asia
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| Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Demos are an integral part of getting work at a uni too. It's an embedded part of acquiring a TEFL post in Taiwan. I saw some pretty good demos, and some people who didn't get a job not because of a poor showing but because, and I kid you not, for example, one person had a squint, and the head of the english department was worried this would "frighten" the students. However I saw some rank demos and people still got work. As much as anything the demo is your opportunity to confirm what is expected of a EFL teacher. |
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