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[TRod]

Hi all. Thought this would be helpful info. Thank you for everyone else who have posted their experiences:

AEON interview step-by step May NYC

The day started promptly at 2pm. We were in a corporate meeting office (there were only six of us) and then we did self introductions: Our name, where we�re from, what college, and then something you know about AEON. Note: Make sure you read the brochure they give you while you wait for the interview because I was a bit stumped at this question actually. When I�m nervous I kinda blank out, so make a note of something while you wait.

Then after that, they went right into telling about the company. Showed a video, then went over some of the topics from the video, such as dress code, schedule, other job responsibilities, and so on. This was interesting. Followed as a Q and A period which didn�t last too long. I didn�t ask anything, which I felt was a bit awkward, but I really didn�t have any question whatsoever. After that we took a bathroom break and started to figure out who was going to go first second and so on for their demos. These demos go by REALLY quick cuz they�re only 5 minutes. I had a lesson plan and demo about food/ordering food, etc. and passed out a chart that students had to ask each other questions about a food survey. This was very effective because the students spoke most of the time.

I was invited back for the second day interview. It consisted of a seven minute teaching demonstration that you get the materials on the spot and you get about 10 minutes to prepare. I thought I did a good job but what threw me off was that the recruiters started �acting Japanese� in every way, cultural, voice, intonation, it was a little weird, and of course I found it offensive, but I tried the best I could. After my demo they said that my lesson was a bit too complicated and that I have to speak more for the beginners. I was also nervous too. I thought my personal interview went okay, but looking back I may have sounded a bit too arrogant about my knowledge of Japan. Lo and behold I was not offered the job from AEON. =(

ECC

Started around 10am. The recruiter collected our applications and other paperwork. Had information packet about ECC given to us and we read it for about 20 minutes. Then question and answered period followed. I asked many questions which seemed to work in my favor. Seem very enthusiastic and attentive. We went over the schedules and expectations of the teachers as well as reviewed the books and materials used in the classroom.

After all that the recruiter went over lesson plans and what they should look like. He modeled a �good and then bad� lesson and it seemed pretty straight forward. Then we had about a 40 minute lunch break where we had to work on our 7 minute teaching demonstration. It seemed like a lot of time, but I didn�t prepare much�I really couldn�t. I was handed out �emotions� which I feel is pretty limited in activities. My age group was 9-11 year olds. Anyways, I bombed the teaching demonstration because I didn�t know how to plan a concrete lesson (especially with the crappy materials I had available) although I took the whole time and got the students to talk a lot. No one clapped for me when I was done and I didn�t get any feedback or comments on the spot until my interview which was only 10 minutes. He took me out of the grammar quiz time and then said that my demo was �okay.� A little harsh I think. He didn�t tell me anything specific and out of the rest of the group I seemed one of two who smiled and had an ounce of energy in my demo. Oh well--I didn't get with ECC either...

Note on the grammar quiz: I�m not sure if there is a way to prepare for this. I have a good background in grammar and have passed the MTEL for Massachusetts which is similar, and I still had trouble with this quiz. My best advice is not to panic, but take your time and read the questions carefully. Make educated guesses.

GEOS
Day 1
The day started immediately (I had the 11:30 interview time) with a comprehensive quiz that was quite difficult. It consisted of writing sentences of grammar examples like �past perfect� and all that, choose the correctly spelled word, and write capital and current names of countries. We had 20 minutes to complete it. After that, we had our personal interviews which lasted about 10 minutes each. If the recruiter likes you and the answers you gave, he/she will invite you back for the afternoon session that started around 1:30pm. I think one person was cut for this. There were about 15 of us for the afternoon session.

For the afternoon session we were given a brief introduction to GEOS. Then we had to write down questions and pass it to a �Japan� �Teaching� and �GEOS� table. We were divided up by table and had to brainstorm together to try to answer the questions ourselves. Then we had to come up with a creative role play or skit that answers the questions. This was kinda fun.

After that we sat and learned more about the company, went over the contract, and things like that. It was kinda boring for me because I knew a lot about Japan and had to listen to all of this again. We got our envelopes. I got admitted into the second session. They cut about three people I think.

Day 2
Started at 9am for me. I apparently passed the quiz. The rest of the group about 11 people had to retake it. The day started right away with more information about GEOS. We signed the pre-employment contract and then went over the contract booklet. That was about it. We had to do another 5 minute role play presenting information about certain topics, for example, my group had �dress code� which we made into this really funny ordeal. I thought that I was off the top, but I guess as far as I know it didn�t affect my candidacy. We took notes of what the GEOS format includes and then saw a demo from the recruiter. Later we saw another demo. GEOS format is easy to do but it took a lot of planning. They hand out a sheet from their text with a topic and sentence patterns you need to follow. Don�t plan ANYTHING on the night of Day 2 because you will need AT LEAST 5 hours to plan the teaching demonstration which is about 24 minutes long. Make sure you stock up before the interview sessions on glue, paper, scissors, markers and if you can print things out, it would add a nice touch. Keep in mind don�t go all out though because you won�t get all of those materials back.

Day 3
I got stuck with the 12:30 slot which was WONDERFUL because I was overtired and I didn�t finish planning the night before. It�s not that bad though, no need to be nervous. You have one student and you�re in front of one of the recruiters. I didn�t do badly, but I didn�t get to the Production part of the lesson because I had too many target languages. =( This took up a lot of time to present and then by the time I had got to the production part the bell rang and I had to jump to the conclusion. After my teaching demo, they called me in for another interview where the recruiter went over my lesson plan and other things. She said the only thing I had to work on was time management skills in the lesson plan, so I guess I did everything else well. Other things we talked about included the commitment, the business aspect and if I had any other questions about GEOS. I didn�t at the time (I wish I had some lined up for this, but everything is pretty much self-explanatory and straightforward). Also the recruiter collects any and all GEOS materials that were passed to you during the interview stage, as well as your props and lesson plan (some people from the area had it typed up) to submit to the head office. I called the following Tuesday and it turns out I was offered the job and I accepted. Not sure when I will be in Japan. I am aiming for mid September.

[Hoser]

Wow-NOVA interviews really are a piece of cake

[skomand]

Thanks for such a detailed write-up.

What is the GEOS "pre-employment" contract exactly?

And on the written exam, what do you mean by capital and current names of countries? Do they give you a blank world map and ask you to fill in country names and capitals?

Thanks again, skomand

[TRod]

The Pre-Employment contract with GEOS just says that what ever sheets they give you with Lesson Plans or info about GEOS such as the handbook needs to be given back to them the final day of the interview process. I forget the other details, but it's inconsequential stuff.

For the quiz, there is no map, but they give you a list of countries and ask you what are their current names for them. For example Rhodesia today is Tanzania and they ask you what are the capitals for France, Canada, and so on. It's kinda hard but like I said you get a second chance to take it again on the next day.

[ghostrider]

[Glenski]

[johncanada24]

[ripslyme]

[24601]

[ripslyme]

[TRod]

Yeah..I don't know the difference to be honest with you, it's just a technicality I think. Universities tend to be larger and have many schools with different departments, for exampe Boston University has Communications, Management, Medical, etc.

I went to Simmons College in Boston and you get Master Degrees there. I am from Boston, and yes Boston College is the same deal.

Don't know!! ??

[Mosley]

To pick a nit: isn't former Rhodesia today called "Zimbabwe"?

[thelza]

Just interviewed with NOVA, ECC and GEOS... was successful with all three.. so thought I'd add some tips to the wealth of information available on the "search" function..

My interviews with ECC and GEOS were pretty much the exact same format as described above.

1. For ECC, enthusiasm definitely wins. Try to get everyone to stand up and sit down, or move around. Don't stress too much over the content of the lesson-- I think following the format along with good attitude is what they are looking for. No real way to study for the test-- but maybe a review of different grammar/language terms would be useful.

2. The GEOS interview is brutal. Don't be a geek and ask ridiculous questions. The test really SHOULDN'T be tough, but is kinda is. I passed on the first try, but everyone else got to take the exact same test the next day. Study the tenses and know who the prime minister of Japan is!! Most of it is basic news stuff that everyone should know.

The teaching demo is a pain. I didn't bring the materials I should have, so my visual aids were awful. I recommend bringing a couple of magazines, construction paper, scissors and markers. I really wish I would've had access to a computer and printer. It took me about two and a half hours to plan the lesson. Stick to the format and time yourself the night before.

It was a really long three days so don't put yourself through the trouble unless you're serious!!!

3. NOVA is a cinch compared to the other two. I think they're looking for a good attitude and people who are confident speaking in front of a group.

I've accepted the ECC offer and am off to the Kanto training session in February!

[TRod]

Thelza,

Congratulations! And thank you for the addition to my information. I am working for GEOS now in Tokyo and I'm having a good time so far. Yes, the three day interview was exhausting but it paid off since they were the only ones who hired me.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[ghostrider]

thelza: Congrats! I'm jealous, but I learned the hard way. I have a Nova interview this Friday.

I think the best attitude for anyone applying is not to worry about which is better or worse until you've applied for a few and have to pick.