Job Discussion Forums

[Peak]

i just got asked if i could do a phone interview for an ALT position with a school in Japan. Does anyone know what type of questions that might be asked?

[DNK]

I'll chip in my little 2 cents here. I did one phone interview for a non-ALT teaching position, and there was a lot of explanation of the position, asking whether I'd feel alright with kids, hours, transit, duties, etc. Then there were personal questions, like my best qualities for teaching, ability to cope with certain situations (different country, more rural area). Also, they asked hypotheticals of how I would teach small children, since I had little experience with kindergarten students before. So, I guess, fairly standard.

I tried to drop in little bits and pieces that I wouldn't put in the resume and hadn't mentioned to that point (rightly or wrongly), like past experiences in India or a few experiences teaching with children (that I'm starting to include in my letters). Answered the hypotheticals by just putting myself in those shoes again and thinking what worked well for me as a young child, what my teachers did (I figure they had more training and probably knew a thing or two, huh?).

I figured they were just looking to get to know my personality and ability better. You know, the stuff that e-mails and resumes can't communicate well. Whatever I did worked well, and I got the job, only to be turned down the next week because the position closed up! grrr... back on the hunt...

but if the position calls for something you have no experience with, expect to be asked about it, and if it calls for something you do have experience with, expect to be asked about that, too. Pretty much, expect to be asked about anything in relation to the job you're after and what you've communicated up to that point. It's nerve wracking (racking?), but at least they couldn't see me twisting around the whole time

[Shimmeringstar]

I had a phone interview for the teaching job I currently am working. Most of the interview was spent with them explaining the job to me. They also asked questions like if I would be willing to work some weekends/holidays/evenings and such. They asked how I would feel about working with young children, older adults, etc. Be prepared for some more random questions, too... such as eating habits (some places don't want to hear teachers complain about Japanese cuisine), athletic ability, or acting/theatre ability. Some places will ask questions like that because they like teachers who will be involved in extra-curriculars.

Be prepared for questions about your experience, personality, goals, and teaching methods. But try not to be surprised about off-the-wall questions, too! Try to relax, and make yourself sound flexible (that can be key!!). My interview was actually mostly them talking about the job, and I didn't actually have to answer too many questions! Good luck!