Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Stan Rogers]

Requiring an experienced teacher to do a demo class is insulting.

[jrwhite82]

[PatrickGHBusan]

[Stan Rogers]

Sorry I'm still not convinced. It's insulting and I think it would make some excellent canidates look elsewhere.

It also sends a message that the employer is a control freak of which bad Korean bosses are fameous for being. It encourages conformity, not diversity in teaching methods.

Demo teaching doesn't necessarily demonstrate how the teacher really teaches. It's more likely that they would be acting in a way they think would be pleasing to those watching.

[valkerie]

Most demo lessons are totally fake, which makes them pointless. In 11 years I have had to 'teach' those interviewing - inc. native teachers! Or a group of students told to act like they don't understand anything.

The best jobs I have had didn't even have a formal interview.

[Unposter]

I'm in the middle on this topic. I don't think you can get a good sense of how "good" someone can teach from a demo lesson but you can get a sense of how "bad" someone can teach from a demo lesson. If you cannot make a demo lesson look presentable then you probably shouldn't be teaching.

On the other hand, you really cannot get much more than whether the person has a basic idea of how to teach from a demo lesson. And, I do think other factors such as experience and education do matter. I would not judge someone solely on their demo lesson.

Personally, I think "good" or well-sourced recomendations and doing little extra things for your school are much better ways to judge a candidate. If you generally work hard, you probably are going to do a good job.

[Malislamusrex]

I've had 2 - demo classes

1 I passed the interview was asked to take the job and last minute there was an administration problem.

2. I sent a lesson plan electronically and got the job without an interview.

In both my demo classes, I explained the reasons for my activities and how they fit into the curriculum, no one wants to sit through a 15 min demo if you don't explain how your class relates to a pedagogical or descriptive academic strategy.

Good luck.

[Malislamusrex]

+1

[PatrickGHBusan]

[Carbon]

[edwardcatflap]

That's where practical teaching qualifications like the CELTA and DELTA are useful. they show that a candidate has reached a certain level of practical teaching ability to a specified standard over the course of several lessons in a period of weeks or months with genuine students. Not a fake twenty minute show piece demo in front of native or near native speakers. Good teaching is so much about how you interact with and get across your message when there is a real information gap. Having said that, if universities don't recognise the usefulness of practical training and are prepared to hire people solely with MAs in theory, a demo is better than nothing at all I suppose.

[nigelnigel]

Regarding having to do a mock lesson: For one I think most of teaching is acting. sure you have the content and knowledge behind you..or you should have it...but the rest is delivery and having the ability to manipulate the audience to do what you want...learn, pay attention, etc.
The hiring board might see some super good, qualified teacher on their worst day and there goes that guy/girl which would ordinarily been a great asset to the institution. But I suppose with some of the guidelines posted above a candidate should be prepared. I also agree that getting to this point even for an interview the candidate should have already been qualified enough to not have to "entertain" the board.

[justpale]

Are there any types of activities that should be avoided for these interview classes? Any types of activities that work really well?

[Carbon]

[PatrickGHBusan]