Job Discussion Forums

[projectrook]

Greetings to everyone.

I have an interview for ECC in about 2 1/2 weeks that I am getting ready for. I actually stumbled upon this website while doing research on ECC. I read past threads and posts in regards to the ECC interview and I learned quite a bit. I feel fortunate that I was able to read such detailed re-tellings of the whole interview process and I feel a little more prepared for what will happen.

Since I just graduated from college, this is my very first interview for a teaching job in Japan. I feel confident in my grammar and spelling ability for the test ( of course I do plan on reviewing and studying), however I do feel that I am lacking in the teaching practices and terms that I will be tested on.
Does anyone have any suggestions on either websites or books that would be good for some quick self-study?
My flight to Toronto will be able 9 hours, so it will be an expensive ticket. So it would be foolish of me to not be as prepared as possible for the whole interview process.

[projectrook]

Was I perhaps not polite enough?

Ok, pretty please with a cherry on top.

[Threnody]

This recent thread about an applicant's successful ECC interview last month is informative (don't know if you looked at it yet or not):

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=77389

ECC's interview process has changed fairly little in the past few years, from what I have read, experienced and heard. You can expect something like LadyK went through. Make sure to review whatever information you have about the nature of the position for which you're applying; think of some intelligent questions to ask during the Q&A session.

You will not need, nor be expected to have, knowledge of specialized teaching terms/techniques for the interview. The interviewers will go over what they want you to do before you are given your demo lesson topic and materials. Pay close attention to this. You may be asked to present the demo as a group or on your own. It is almost always a short children's lesson on one basic English topic (please/thank you, animals, hello/nice to meet you, etc.).

Keep the lesson dynamic and constantly flowing. Clearly model the structure for your "students", have them chorus it back to you in unison, then have them practice it ASAP. Make it lively and fun. Use plenty of illustrative body language. Exploit the physical materials given you - for example, if you have plastic fruit or stuffed animals to represent vocab, show them at every opportunity; do things like tossing them to/among students to elicit the correct word. Do your best to give your attention to all students in turn and to ensure that everyone gets more or less equal opportunities to participate. Don't worry and don't be afraid to look silly! You won't do this perfectly and aren't expected to. You're expected to do your best, take criticism, and do it with a big grin and an open-minded attitude the whole time.

Keep your instructions (and tips like these) in mind when offering criticism/suggestions for the other interviewees' lessons as well.

At all phases of the interview (including the demo lesson), be positive, engaged, and personable... but I doubt you need to be told that.

Good luck! It's a decent place to work.

[projectrook]

Thanks for the info and the link. I feel much better about what I am going into.
I have been studying more advance grammar and terms in the last week or so. From what I have heard by some people, the grammar test really isn't all that important, however it would really be dumb of me to neglect it and somehow bomb it and not even get to the lesson and interview stage.

[LadyK]

As for the teaching terms they test on, there are only ten and they include things like modeling, choral reading, role play, and a few others. They are pretty self explanatory, though, so I doubt you'll have much trouble. You could always google "ESL teaching methods" and find some sites. Total physical response (TPR) is one method that you might want to read up on, although I can't remember if it was on the test or not.

Let us know what happens! Good luck!

[ingrey]

Even if you're successful, you might want to look into other options as well. I went to San Francisco and had a successful interview back in the fall of 2008. However, despite waiting patiently, I (and some of the other recruits) were just kept on a waiting list and now, come March, if I were to be interested in teaching for ECC I'd have to apply again.

So, rather than bother with all that hassle, I've decided to teach in Korea for a year and then reconsider my options.

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

Text deleted

[Deep Thirteen]

Yeah, sounds as if there are fewer and fewer postions being available. One company is not the end all however.

[kathrynoh]

Ingrey, same thing happened to me. Was told I'd have to reapply but they are only interviewing in Canada atm (I'm in Australia).