Job Discussion Forums

[Volver]

My school is looking for a new foreign teacher to replace a guy who didn't work out. This guy was horrible and we don't want to repeat the experience. The school has tasked me with searching and interviewing, but I have never done this before. Lots of applicants coming in and I will start interviewing after the holiday. However, what am I supposed to ask or do? I certainly know what we don't want but am feeling a ton of anxiety over the upcoming process. Doing some pre-screening now and just relying on common sense more than anything else. If you have any experience with this sort of process, can you give me some pointers?

Thanks.

V

[Jmbf]

Quite a few variables at play here. What's the position and what's the pay? Where is the school? Is the pay / package decent enough to attract more than the average TEFLer? Ideally you'd want someone with more than basic qualifications and proven teaching experience. Check for references. What's their attitude like? Ask them some 'what if' questions to see if they can really handle a classroom.

[doogsville]

Interview them as early in the morning as possible, preferably the same time classes would start. If you get drinkers this usually sorts them out, ditto with lazy people that don't really want to teach but just hang out in China. As to the rest, just use your common sense and judgement, go with your gut, and be prepared for it to not work out anyway. Such is life.

[teenoso]

I would ask them the kind of things they would teach in a spoken English class , when there is no textbook.
And how they would organise a big (40+ student) class to get the students to speak.
(Assuming your school is in the public sector).

Once you have narrowed the field , I would make sure your school follows up on references from previous Chinese employers; it should call the last school .
The written references are pretty much useless - often the previous school will be happy to see a disastrous teacher leave soon and quickly for another job.

[Non Sequitur]

I would ask them the kind of things they would teach in a spoken English class , when there is no textbook.
And how they would organise a big (40+ student) class to get the students to speak.
(Assuming your school is in the public sector).

This is an excellent suggestion:
An experienced teacher will have a grab bag of personal resources to put to work if the school stuff is inadequate or non-existent.
A newbe who is really thinking about the teaching task will also not be lost for a comment or idea on what to do.
I for one would be very interested how OP gets on.
Best

[SH_Panda]

Make sure you check with your school if you can hire non-caucasians or not. That's pretty important.

[Babala]

I've been hiring here for years. A few things to know

- no matter what credentials you list, you will get people who do not have them apply. I never answer bother to answer them back
- have a Skype interview to check out the accent
- what teenso said is excellent advice
- check out their work history. I don't hire anyone who has not done more than 2 years in one place in China unless they have under 3 years experience here
- feel them out with a few cultural questions. If they seem to hate China, then it's a no

Is your school paying you extra for this? They should be. I get a month's salary for every teacher I hire. In my last job, I had reduced hours and made more than other teacher's for this. Don't do it for free.

[Volver]

Thanks, everybody, and sorry for the late follow-up. Been far, far away from the Internet for the last week and now it is back to work.

The school I work for sends the kids over to the US to finish their high school diploma and start college at the same time. Classes are quite small (16-20 students) but most students have little to no motivation. Rich and spoiled with a few scary-smart ones thrown in for seasoning. Pay is lower than other "international" schools but not by much and the workload is not high.

I am getting mostly people who have worked at many jobs vs. staying at a job for a long time. This bothers me and I don't know the way to ascertain the real reasons for all the job hopping.

Sending all this to my bosses and Skype interviews begin this week.

V

[buravirgil]

[Babala]

Another thing to remember is that the person you hire will hold you personally responsible for everything you promise on behalf of the school. I will only hire for a school if I truly endorse them. Never sugar-coat any problems or gloss over anything. Be completely honest.