Job Discussion Forums

Rezz · Joined: 26 May 2009 Posts: 95

Hi all,

I have an interview for AEON in a few weeks and I'm currently stressing over my 30 minute lesson plan / 5 minute presentation. At the moment I'm considering doing something along the lines of how something is positioned in relation to something else, e.g "the man is in the car", "the ball is under the table" or "the bike is on the road".

I'm hoping to create some sort of game involving positions for the 5 minute presentation but not having much luck finding similar examples on the internet. Is there a proper name for this sort of activity? "EFL lesson plan object placement" doesn't bring up much really. Does this sound like a reasonable presentation for the interview? Any tips much appreciated!

Cheers

Mr_Monkey · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 661 Location: Kyuuuuuushuuuuuuu

Well, they're prepositions of place or position for a start.

spidr245 · Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 60

You should keep this kind of stuff simple. Just look at the examples they provide for Interac demonstrations for your 5-minute portion. Then you can expand that (5-minute lesson) into something that is 30 minutes. It's nothing too tough really. Just be creative and you'll be finished before you know it.

purple_piano · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 8:47 pm Post subject:

General Tips:
Keep your talking to a minimum, explain the task briefly and simply and then get your "students" (most likely your fellow interviewees) to talk. Flashcards are very useful.
SMILE lots! Give lots of praise- you may feel stupid praising a native speaker for a simple phrase but it'll go down well.
In your full lesson plan (30mins) give MOST of the time over to controlled and free practice of speaking. Try to imply the students will be speaking and using the target language for about 80% of the lesson.

More specific tips:
Don't make your 5 min section too complicated, 5 mins doesn't really last that long! Don't have a long explanation because you may not get to the main aim of your task.

Rezz · Joined: 26 May 2009 Posts: 95

Thanks guys, all of that stuff is really helpful! Sorry spidr245, but where would I find the interac demonstration examples? Do you mean on this board?

Cheers!

seklarwia · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 9:28 pm Post subject:

Yep. There are probably many threads discussing demo lessons here if you search, but here is the last one:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=70373

Rezz · Joined: 26 May 2009 Posts: 95

Another question guys, my interview is in the middle of June when its likely to be pretty warm. I know its meant to be business attire, but do you think its a good idea to just wear a shirt, tie and trousers (no suit jacket)?

Even if I wear one I can see myself just taking it off and carrying it all day anyway so not sure what to do!

purple_piano · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:53 pm Post subject:

Wear a suit jacket. In the handbook for their teachers AEON are rather strict about this even during the hot and humid Japan summers you must wear a jacket as you are representing the school and company (chances are you'll be able to remove it in the classroom) They would expect the same level of attire at the interview.

If it's the same hotel as the February interview rounds then there is air-con in the conference room!

Rezz · Joined: 26 May 2009 Posts: 95

Thanks! It's in Harrington Hall hotel in London - same one?

purple_piano · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:50 pm Post subject:

Yup, same one. It's VERY close to the tube station and if you are early there are various coffee shops and food places around to sit in and gather your thoughts.
Arrive at the hotel about 15mins early with a smile for everyone from when you walk in!

Rezz · Joined: 26 May 2009 Posts: 95

Well I'm getting a bus to London from Wales in the morning and I'll be there about 2 hours early so will probably have some hanging around to do! I hate to admit that I've never been to London before, but the bus stops at Victoria station where there appears to be a tube I can catch to Gloucester Road just by the hotel anyway.

Thanks very much purple piano Very Happy

seklarwia · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 9:30 pm Post subject:

That's two hours early if there isn't an delays or accidents. But yes its only 3 stops from Victoria on either the circle (yellow) or district (green) lines.

If you have never been to London and in particular the Victoria stations do be careful. The coach station is about a 6 min walk from the train and tube stations. All three are ripe with pickpockets and if you put anything down for just a second it will be gone. I'd hate for you to have something like that happen just before your interview.

spidr245 · Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 60

Sorry for the really slow reply Rezz, but looks like Seklarwia got it in my place. Very Happy

Anyhow, just relax and I think you should do fine. Make sure to practice your presentation at least a few times before doing it.

And also, you should be able to take the suit jacket off once inside. Just wear it until every has met and sat down. If you're not sure, it's ok to ask (just say something like "It's a bit hot. Is it okay if I take off the jacket for a while?").

BobbyBan · Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 201

Hi there. Yes, the target language you are teaching is called "prepositions of place" and it would be best to stick to some of the very simple ones for your demo lesson. In particular in, on, under... etc with perhaps, behind, in front of, next to, and if they are slightly higher between (which involves introducing plurals).

It might be a good idea to have some flashcards to introduce the topic, like this:

http://www.mes-english.com/flashcards/files/prepplace_flash.pdf

Or you could make your own, which might look better.

If you have an object such as a ball you can introduce, "Where is it?" and place a ball on the table. "It's on the table" etc...

Put Ss in pairs and hand one of the pairs a ball. Have them place a ball somewhere and then ask, "Where is it?" "It's on the table." Etc... for a few minutes.

Monitor for any mistakes or introduce any vocab that the Ss may not have known and put up any sentences you heard on the board that the Ss can then correct.

A good way to finish off a lesson like this would be to have a picture of a room. One student is given the picture with a number of objects placed around this room. The other student gets a picture with different objects around the room. Each student has a list of objects that are drawn on the other students pitcure and must find out where those things are placed.

I.E Student A (looks at their list): "Where's the cat?"
Student B (Looks at their picture): "It's under the bed."
Student A draws a cat on their picture with a pencil.

Rezz · Joined: 26 May 2009 Posts: 95

seklarwia: Thanks for the tip, didn't think about pickpockets! Will probably throw everything into my backpack and put a lock on it.

spidr245: No problem, and I'll bear that in mind. If the air con is on I'm hoping it won't be too bad anyway Smile

BobbyBan: This is exactly the sort of thing I had in mind, although I was going to just introduce the drawing at the front of the class and encourage students to give me answers as to where certain things were located. I guess it's better to get them working in pairs?

Thanks everyone!