Job Discussion Forums

[Ragnar_a69]

Hello to all,

My name is Ragnar and I have been reading tons of posts on this board for a bit now, finally deciding to participate.

On Feb. 27th, in San Francisco, I (along with my girlfriend Liz) will be interviewing with ECC. This will be my first interview. To prepare I have been reading a lot of posts in this forum, and have found them to be very useful. I have taken away tons of advice from several posters. There is just one point I am a bit confused in.

The important Demo Lesson. Throughout the several posts on this topic I have seen two kinds of demo lessons. Some say that they give you a simple topic (like colors, numbers, time, etc) and then give you 15 minutes to prepare. Others say they give you a simple topic, but also give you accepted vocabulary (since the "students" don't know English) and a lesson example. I have read things from "do the lesson exactly how it is written but be a bit creative" to "come out guns blazing, be creative and get your students involved." So, are you given anything to help out, or just the topic and you make it happen on your own?

Sorry for the long post, and thank you for any future help. This is the part of the interview I am most nervous about.

P.S. Will not having any prior job experience hurt me? Will the fact that I know three languages and have moved around a lot (I still have 12 years of English language schooling and an American University degree) and experienced different cultures help me? Thanks again!!!

[Inflames]

I'll chime in here (and no, I'm not employed by ECC).

As far as I can tell the target audience of the demo lesson is kids. By and large, what you actually teach isn't overly important. What they really want to see is your energy level and if you would be a good kids teacher.

I think the lesson types you're talking about are largely the same. For a lesson, you're probably given a specific list of vocabulary to teach (any kids lesson will have a specific vocab list and structure to teach). To help you, you'll likely have flashcards and props. I don't think you'll have a written lesson plan (What is the exact wording from the e-mail about this?) and will likely have to come up with one on your own. They might give you a fairly vague one (like "Introduce yourself. Then do a transition activity. Then introduce the language. Then practice the language...."). Basically you're on your own.

As someone without teaching experience, I can understand you're quite nervous (I get nervous when I'm doing a demo lesson or being observed). Just relax, smile, speak slowly and use simple language and ensure the "students" are involved. As this is a short demo, you're likely to have 4 or 5 words to teach. More than that and you'd almost certainly get caught halfway through an activity.

You're going to have to introduce and practice the language, then do an activity with the students. The introduction and practice part is the key part. If you're doing something like colors, don't just introduce the color. Obviously have the students repeat it, then point to something that is that color. Next is an activity or game. Make it interactive (and simple)! I'd probably open and close with a song (the opening should be simple, the closing should be related to the lesson). Make sure that the students get up an do stuff during the song. The lesson itself is largely irrelevant (but not entirely, so don't speak quickly nor use complicated language). They want to see that you work well with kids. Basically it means be silly and embarrass yourself.

These are kids. The most they'll know is name, age, small numbers, the alphabet and maybe days of the week and months. They're not going to be sitting still for more than 5 minutes easily. I don't think they'd have you teach numbers, time, days of the week, or months as a demo (they'd all make rather bad demos).

[Abider]

I interviewed with ECC in SF last November. Heading to Japan in a month!

Before you worry about the demo lesson, study your grammar.
You take the grammar test before the demo lesson. If you don't pass the grammar test you are asked to leave the interview. We had 14 people in my group before the test 12 afterwards. It's not too hard but brush up on that grammar, idiom's, past perfect tense, passive voice, spelling etc.

For the demo lesson you're handed a card with some vocabulary words, like chair, pencil, lion, tigers etc.
You get a few minutes to figure out what you are going to do, no props provided but you can make them or grab the actual item if it's in the room.
Forget about an icebreaker, you don't have the time. Our five minute limit was a hard limit, no going over it. They are looking for an 80/20 split. 80% students talking, 20% teacher talking. Say the word have the students repeat it as a group then go around the group and have each individual student say it. You get the general idea? If you smile and show some energy, you're halfway there.

Good Luck!

[Ragnar_a69]

Inflames and Abider, thank you both for your help. This definitely clears up my confusion. I know feel much better going into this thing. Inflames, you really laid it out for me and with that I feel more confident.

Abider, congratulations on getting the job!! I hope to follow your lead. And thank you for the grammar warning, I have definitely been brushing up on it.

Thanks again!

[poohbear]

just fyi, they also look for people who are going to finish the contract and are'nt gonna take off on em. if they sense or feel that u wont fulfill your contract or that u might be a problem for them, they simply wont hire u.

I was quite shocked to find out during the interview that i'd have to share an apartment in tokyo (on their website they stated at the time that i would have my own apartment, albeit in the interview they clarified that's only for outside tokyo). suffice to say i think the recruiter picked up on my displeasure and i didnt get the offer cause of that. lol he asked me "is that a problem?" and i was like "erm, no, but its a bit of a surprise". I aced the demo lesson cause i read before hand what i should do, and did well on the grammar test, so doubt it was that. I've had a bad experience w/ a crazy roommate and since then i prefer my OWN apartment unless i know that person well.

the thing is, if someone bails on their contract, especially if they do so early on, it reflects badly on the recruiter (sometimes they get chewed out if it was blatantly obvious the employee was'nt serious about working in japan). so they simply dont take those chances.

[Inflames]