Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jyoo24]

So, I have an interview with Topia English Zone tomorrow and I was told that I would be given some materials to study for 30 minutes and then I would have to carry out a demo-class for 30 minutes.

I don't have any prior teaching experience so I'm pretty nervous. Has anyone done something like this before? If so, do you have any suggestions/tips on how to nail the interview?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[princess]

I would tell Topia to go jump off a cliff. This sounds insane. I've never had to do this to get hired before, and I won't. I only had to do a demo while the other teachers pretended to be students at one school. Even that was ridiculous, but it was only for about 10 minutes, not 30. And it was after I was already hired. Plus, two guys weaseled out of having to do it, but the rest of us had to. So, I think demos are a bunch of nonsense. Why should I have to prove myself?

[jyoo24]

Thanks for your input princess.

Apparently, this mock-class will be used to determine how much Topia will pay me? Either way, I'm not too happy about it.

[princess]

[Triban]

I received a contract from Topia and didn't have to do a 30 minute mock teaching session. Regardless, the contract was typical hagwon, with many clauses violating the Korean Labor Standards Act. Have fun.

[Sausolito]

[climber159]

I don't think it's a bad idea for an employer to want to see a demo lesson from their prospective employee. It's a good way to determine how well a teacher can prepare and deliver materials. The McHagwons (like Topia) are looking for a specific type of individual who will fit their predetermined model of a teacher. I can't really give you much advice on how to do the lesson. Just imagine you're the one learning the foreign language and teach the way you'd want to be taught to.

Good luck. And, remember that this isn't the only job out there.

[jyoo24]

So, interview went well.

My recruiter misinformed me; the mock-class was actually 10 minutes, not 30. Also, it was in front of a few of the directors not children.

Thinking about it, I can definitely understand why a hagwon would make candidates perform mock-classes. They take a risk hiring inexperienced teachers and these mock-classes help them filter out those who may not have the potential to teach effectively.

Also, thank you to those who replied. I truly appreciate it.

[princess]

Glad it went well.

[Demophobe]

[yingwenlaoshi]

I had an interview with them last year. I didn't have to do a demo. I asked how long classes were and they said "60 minutes." I then inquired about breakes between classes and the interviewee seemed confused and said "5 minutes." So basically they count teaching hours as 60 minutes. They said, "But you will probably only have 26 to 28 classes a week." Did the math quickly in my head and it didn't look too good to me. That and hearing from a gyoppo about how they grilled him at an interview and belittled him after, but kept calling him and pretty much demanding that they take they're crappy offer because they didn't think that he was that good of a teacher. He kept telling them that he didn't want to work for them, but they kept calling.

So what does that tell you about TOPIA?

Anyway, they offered me 2.5, but I figured with the time I had to put in there, it was more like 2. 6. So that's what I told them and they didn't call them back.

Oh well.

[robot]

I'm glad it went well, and it's cool that you took the whole thing in stride.

Usually for the better gigs you need to do mocks. Topia's got a pretty high salary ceiling -- more than most people know -- and it's not a bad job at all.

I'd never work anywhere that DIDN'T require mocking.

[fustiancorduroy]