Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wainy316]

Me and my partner have a couple of phone interviews lined up and was just seeking a bit of advice. We know the usual, to speak slowly and clearly and show enthusiasm.
When it comes to our turn to ask the director questions, what kind of things do they like to hear?

Also here are some of the more challenging looking questions we have been told to expect.

What kind of teacher would you prefer to work with? Why?

What are your plans for your career development? Why do you believe this job will help you achieving your professional goal?

How would you handle a class that consists of students with a varied level of English skills and capabilities?

What kind of students do you like to teach? What type of students do you think that you could teach most effectively?


What methods and techniques do you use to evaluate students progress besides using tests?


How would you challenge the slow learner and the advanced learner within the same class?

What capability do you have that would enhance teaching skills of our staffs?

Please, give ideas about lesson plans for grammar, reading comprehension, or pronunciation skills.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[thegadfly]

For the sake of discussion, let's assume an academically-oriented school, rather than a place that hires based on appearances or whoever they can find at the lowest rate....

I would suggest that you make a list of questions ahead of time, and tick them off/write down the info as you are told about it -- asking a question about something that is in the emails or that the person has just told you makes you look bad, in my book....

Make sure that you front-load all your "what can I do for you" questions and "how can I help out the school" questions well ahead of your "what do I get" questions. Questions about class size, placement exams, teacher feedback about students, parental involvement, and pet projects you hope to employ are good beginning questions.

For example, "I used to have a reading club at a previous school, where a group of students would read a children's novel and we would discuss it in class -- does your school have any classes similar to that, as I quite enjoyed the interaction...? No? If I could work out the details to start one, would that be something I could do at your school?" Shows motivation, problem-solving abilty, concern for the students, dedication to the profession, and a willingness to work for the success of the school -- all very positive qualities.

Of course, you shouldn't say something like that if you have no follow-through...but remember, you need to show the school your own value -- you do not need to talk up how much you want the job.... I've actually had people tell me, "this job sounds perfect for me!" as if that somehow means I should hire the person. Glad you like the job -- why thuh hell should I HIRE you for it? I don't care if IT matches everything YOU want, why should the school hire YOU?

Questions about paid vacation, sick leave, overtime rates, reimbursement for school supplies, office hours, required prep, and other such things, while necessary questions, should appear a bit later in the interview. I've interviewed folks whose only two questions were "when are the vacations" and "how much time before class begins do I HAVE to be there?" They weren't hired, of course.

When I do telephone interviews (haven't for a while -- used to be my job elsewhere, isn't my job in my current gig), I usually let the other person START with the questions...if they are about pay and vacation only, I save myself the wind my usual schpiel takes....then again, I worked at schools that paid above-average salaries, and expected above-average teachers.

At many places, the phone interview is just a formality, to make sure you are not unintelligible...but there are times when they do count, and can count for a lot...I am only speaking to those situations....