Job Discussion Forums

Zabac · Joined: 03 Jun 2010 Posts: 11

Hi everyone,

I've read what a few people have been saying about the James English School, where I recently got an interview.

I'm wondering if those people who've interviewed with them would be willing to share what questions they were asked, what they were expected to do in terms of teaching demonstrations, and anything else that might be helpful. I'm totally new to these types of interviews and have no idea what to expect.

Thanks so much!

Elizabeth

PO1 · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 136

I worked for James English School. They're a really good school I think, with lots of support for teachers if they need it. I did a phone interview and it wasn't too intensive really. Just basic stuff (why do you want to come to Japan, what are your strengths and weaknesses, etc.) and some questions about what you would do in certain situations. I forgot what I was asked, but as long as you don't say something completely off-the-wall, you should be ok.

If you have any other questions, you can PM me and maybe I can help you more.

Hope you get the job!

Shonai Ben · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 617

I also worked for JES a long time ago......I was interviewed by the president of the co.who was a very nice gentleman and easy to talk to.

As PO1 said a good school.....and the interview was pretty basic.....why you want to teach in Japan,your strengths,weaknesses etc..

Is your interview in Sendai?.......that's where the head office is.....I also live here now.

Anyway.......good luck!

Zabac · Joined: 03 Jun 2010 Posts: 11

Thanks to both of you for the information. Did either of you have to do a teaching demonstration? How long ago did you work there?

Thanks,

Elizabeth

PO1 · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 136

After you're hired you'll do a teaching demonstration at your orientation, whenever that is scheduled. Normally it will be beginner to lower intermediate students. You'll teach until your trainer tells you to stop. I worried a lot about it, but received good reviews, so don't worry about it too much.

For the interview you will probably only be asked about a couple of scenarios with different types of students, and then asked how you would deal with it.

Good luck!

seklarwia · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:20 pm Post subject:

PO1 · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 136

The schools has lots of support and extra training in the case that a teacher "sucks." I don't know of any situations that have arisen where the teacher was hired and was completely clueless. I've heard of teachers showing up for about a week, then bailing on their contract. Or getting fired for just being difficult. But not for being a bad teacher altogether.

So, hypothetically, I assume the teacher would eventually be fired if they really had no idea what to do after repeated training, observations, etc. I'm not sure how often they hire teachers with no experience. I had one year under my belt before I was hired there.

seklarwia · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 12:23 am Post subject:

Okay "sucks" was a poor description.

Rather than simply being a rubbish teacher, I meant they have really good ideas but simply were unable to implement them in a classroom situation.

The idea occurred to me because, we have a heap of student interns in our school at the moment all hoping to be qualified teachers in the not too distant future. One of the English hopefuls is really concerning me and my JTEs though. They have the best grasp English out of all of them, they have fantastic ideas but simply can't seem to implement them in the classroom, panics when they realise that it's going horribly wrong and the kids become all tense and clam up completely. This is in a JH. But if the same happened in an eikawa, there woul likely be complaints and angry parents.

And what do you mean by the bit about hiring teachers with no experience? What kind of experience are they looking for?

The OP is a college teacher but has no EFL experience that I can see and no TEFL certificate. They say they worked with a few ESL students but I'm wondering whether that means that they had some ESL students on their course and were therefore helping students who already have a pretty good grasp of the English language. This is nothing like having to solo teach a typical class of young students who have no English skills and requires you to set a totally different atmosphere and use entire different teaching techniques than those in college.

Are you saying they are wasting their time applying?

Shonai Ben · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 617

PO1 · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 136