Job Discussion Forums

[ExpatLuke]

I don't think I would refuse a demo lesson flat out, unless I thought the school was just trying to take advantage of me and get me to teach a class for free. But I doubt I'd ever be in that type of situation to begin with.

If a school I knew I wanted to work at, that had a good reputation, asked me to do a demo, I'd probably be happy to oblige. I guess I don't see it as hoop jumping. I see it as the final stage of the interview process.

[1st Sgt Welsh]

[RustyShackleford]

For another voice from Japan, I've been on interview boards for hiring Japanese natives for public schools. They had a demo lesson along with a brief questioning process. They had been given the target of the lesson ahead of time and were given instructions to create a lesson, using external materials (construction paper, glue, scissors, etc) as needed. We noted enthusiasm but more than anything we wanted to see how the teacher would present ideas and how clear their explanations were. Yes, charismatic teachers with an edutainment approach would have an advantage but if they couldn't actually explain the point in question, their score was significantly affected. The questioning process afterwards was similarly done to gage their knowledge of education guidelines, ambitions in their career, etc.

In my JET Program interview I didn't have to present, but, despite the arguments presented here, I can't see the harm in them to a prepared aspiring teacher.

[Oh My God]

[LettersAthruZ]

I don't do demo lessons. If you'd like to do a trial run of seven or so paid classes, then that's my pleasure to do such. Otherwise, my belief on the purpose of demo lessons is exactly like what Skarper stated -

[kurtz]

For jobs teaching adults at least, the interview IS the demo. If what I have to offer meets the criteria and gets me an interview, the onus is then on the company to have a professionally trained interviewer/HR person to ask me pertinent questions on teaching and to assess my general countenance and demeanor and to ascertain if said qualities are up to expectations. No clown act needed; just a pleasant manner and a sense of humor or gregarious and cheerful disposition should get you most jobs in an interview.

Demo lessons for kids, well, I can see how that is relevant. Let's face it though, teaching kids does require its own skills set but generally your serious teacher wouldn't apply for such low-end work. However, I can't see a well-known mill asking for a demo if a CELTA (even though it's adult orientated) is required.

Demo lessons in Vietnam at least are for bottom of the barrel work and you're letting yourself potentially be exploited.

[Tigerstyleone]

I was asked to do a demo via SKYPE but at the last minute they hired a young white female with no experience. Didn't really want to do it anyway.

[Oh My God]

[kurtz]

[Oh My God]

[deadlift]

No one at RMIT taught a demo lesson as part of their hiring, and RMIT teachers are not paid by the hour, nor is there any variation in salary within the pay scales.

I suspect OMG was trying to make a joke.

[cb400]

One school in Hanoi, used demo lessons to finish a class off for free. The main teacher who had been with the class since the beginning left with 3 weeks to go (very justifiable reason) and the school decided instead of hiring someone to take over the class they would interview teachers and have them do a 'demo' class with the students and let them go after the demo. They did this with several teachers finishing off the class with 'demo' lessons.

Of course none of the students resigned and the damage was done the schools reputation. Remember this was decided as a good idea by the director...an ex elevator sales woman.

After 10 years of teaching I do not do demos unpaid and without real students. If someone wants to observe me, great I am always looking for feedback and I will use this chance to evaluate the school also.

[kurtz]

[RustyShackleford]

Wow..I think maybe we have a different definition of demo compared to Japan. In Japan, the demo given to the public school teachers (no idea of the conversation school scene) is just a ten-minute mini-lesson where we just gauged the teacher's approach and in-class personality. That said, the idea of using an unpaid hour of everyone's time is certainly a raw deal.

[1st Sgt Welsh]