Job Discussion Forums

[missjones]

So, I'm packing up and moving to Lima. Rather than securing a job beforehand, I'll be going door-to-door to a bunch of institutes in the first few weeks. I'm pretty good at interviews but I've never had to do a demo lesson before. Anyone have any suggestions? I thought I'd come up with one that focuses on conversational English and another that works on business English. I'd probably be working mostly with adults.

Thanks guys. Let me know if you need any more specific information.

Chao!

[Shelly123]

I think the difficult thing with demo lessons is not knowing the level of the students. I have one lesson I've honed over the year for each level (elementary, pre-int, intermediate and advanced) that are conversational and I pull them out whenever I need to do one.

It might be good to have one lesson that you can easily adapt for lower/higher levels. The biggest thing I've found with demo lessons is that it simply gets easier the more I do them, especially when I'm using the same lesson plan.

I think it's a good idea that you've got a Business English lesson up your sleeve, especially considering you're likely to be working with adults. I'd just try and make the lesson as fun and interactive as possible - lots of focus on the student and getting them interacting with each other and you.

All the best!
shelly

[naturegirl321]

Ugh, no no no, stay away. Lima is horrible right now! It-s the middle of winter which means no sun for six months, drizzle constantly and grey clouds.

But, if you-re coming then, here-s some advice. Demo lessons aren-t really the norm for institutes. Just for schools. I gave one demo lesson for a uni and it was noly ten minutes. Can-t prepare too much now, because they-ll give you a book to work out of and you-re supposed to teach from that.

[missjones]

That's comforting to know. Though it would still be a good idea to have something under my belt, because hopefully this won't be the last time I apply for a job.

[leslie]

Bye

[missjones]

I actually have Penny Ur and I'll be taking it to Peru with me. That book is a lifesaver; I've used it a lot for private lessons.

I guess the thing is to keep it interesting. And I definitely know what you mean about trying too hard.

Thanks a lot!

Heather

[nickpellatt]

Im not an expert or incredibly experienced, but I feel that if you DO get the chance to look at the book beforehand, its also great if you are able to introduce some material or props to enhance the lesson. ( perhaps someone more experienced can comment on how suitable this is).

Im doing a lesson tomorrow on superlatives, and the material from the lesson plan I have is a little dull and may not run the entire lesson.

To this, I have added a number of colorful laminated a4 photos of famous people (which I have used for a number of lessons) and intend putting the students into small groups to discuss these photos with the target language.

'I think Kylie Minogue is the prettiest'
'Tony Blair may be the most succesful' etcetc.

Simple materials that have a number of uses and can be kept for ages ... but adding them to this lesson 'should' supplement the course material. I feel most people can do a job from a course book, but adding a little something that may be personal, or colorful, or have some interesting props and materials can really work well for the class and ultimately, your prospects of landing the job.

[spiral78]

Nick, superlatives are never dull, by their very nature!!!
Regardless of how the materials approach the subject ...

Just think!


My greatest holiday was.......!!!
My best memory is...!!!
My biggest wish is...!!!
The longest trip I ever took was...!!
The fastest I ever......... was!!
The most beautiful ABC I ever XYZ was....!!

Enthusiasm can be a real key to memorable study of superlatives:)

[naturegirl321]

I'd like to say that before today I was very anti demo lessons. Here in peru, only AFTER you do an interview, inkblot test, and demo class are you told the salary.

So today I had one, it was a disaster and that's the understatement of the year. Starting with the coordinator arriving late, not knowing where the class was, not telling the teacher I was going to teach, switching to a different class.

Then telling me that they were supposed to do a different topic that the one I prepared, Which by the way, I prepared with no materials given from the school. The only thing I was told is to teach animals to second graders. No idea about level, etc.

With only 20 minutes left in my 55 minute demo class due to lack on planning on the coordinato'rs part, I couldn't beleive how drained I was. The kids were very very disrespecful, beginning with crawling under the desks, going in and out of class, playing with clay, talking and drawing ont he desks. The teacher and assistant, well, they were trying to help, but telling the kids to do something different than I wanted, THEN the school pyschologist comes, tells everyone to be quiet so the bad kid can apologise and HE starts crying.

the coordinator asked what I thoguht, I said, there's a complete lack of respect and discipline in this class. Her advice, well, you have to shout if you want them to hear you. WEll, NO, the kids have to be quiet so that I don't have to shout over all over them.

Needless to say, I said thanks but no thanks, I don't care if they paid me 3000 quid a month, it's not worth it. Moral of the story, if you're offered a job with kids, offer to do a demo class, it might save you your sanity.

[nickpellatt]

Naturegirl - nice little story and a lucky escape! Serves as a reminder than an interview is a two way street, and that demo lessons are as important for us as the employer.

Spiral - The material was dull, my enthusiasm is as strong as ever The material I had offered no speaking or practice of superlatives, and was dull for that reason. It just mainly reading skills, with find the superlatives in the article, and complete the box about superlative rules.

[Kootvela]

[peruisay]

I've prepared two "Demo" handouts for our teachers. One is for teenagers and the other for children, but you might find a good idea or two.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/17655662/Intermediate-Demo

http://www.scribd.com/doc/17655654/YL-Demo

I don't like doing demo classes myself, really. There isn't a lot you can do to prepare - there are too many variable circumstances which are out of your control.

Go in with a smile and positive attitude. Control as much of the experience as you can, since you can't guarantee the students will work with you.[/url]

[missjones]

Those worksheets were really helpful. Those sorts of activities seem to aim more toward demonstrating how you interact with the students, and how they would respond to you, rather teaching with a particular grammar objective.