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surfer11
Joined: 22 Dec 2012
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 Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 8:42 pm Post subject: University Interview Preparation? |
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Hello,
I have an interview with a University on Saturday.
Do you have any suggestions on how to prepare for the interview?
They did not state whether I would be doing a teaching demo or not.
Any ideas on how to do well with the hiring committee?
Thanks! |
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NYC_Gal 2.0
Joined: 10 Dec 2010
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| Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 9:07 pm Post subject: |
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Dress and groom as though your life depends on it. Appearances are more than half the battle.
Have a 5-minute demo lesson ready, just in case.
I know it's crappy advice, but you may be surprised at some of the candidates' attire. Guys have it easy: just wear a suit and shave.
I wish I could tell you more. Best of luck! |
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globusmonkey
Joined: 19 Aug 2011
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Be well versed in what is on your resume. Pay particular attention to your academic experience, as I received several questions about undergraduate and graduate schools. Learn some things about the school or department (you can usually find some English info online), and mention the good things or how you can contribute in your responses. Don't be surprised if there are multiple people and if it is short. There were about 8 people in my interview, all with questions, and it lasted about 20-25 minutes. It was hard-core, but not terrible. Dress well and be prepared. |
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surfer11
Joined: 22 Dec 2012
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| Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks!
Is there anyway to prepare for any possible questions they might ask? |
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chrisblank
Joined: 14 Aug 2009
Location: Incheon
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| Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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Topics that have come up in interviews I have participated in:
Theory behind tour teaching style.
Dealing with problem students.
Difficulties in class in your last job and how you dealt with them.
Specific grammar questions.
Questions I have heard often:
Why are you in Korea?
Why do you want this job?
Why should we choose you for this job?
Why are you leaving your last job? |
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surfer11
Joined: 22 Dec 2012
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| Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 12:28 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks Chris! |
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sligo
Joined: 15 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 3:48 am Post subject: |
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search the internet for these buzzwords:
CLT
PPP
Task based Learning
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
Learner contract
Cyclical motivation
Learn what they mean, and drop them into the interview as and when they are necessary. After you say each one in the interview, give a 5 word definition so it seems you know what you are talking about. |
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I'm With You
Joined: 01 Sep 2011
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| Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 4:12 am Post subject: |
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| surfer11 wrote: |
Thanks!
Is there anyway to prepare for any possible questions they might ask? |
A few questions that I like to ask teachers when I've served on hiring committees and in no specific order:
Do you drink?
How do you manage unmotivated students?
What EFL teaching methodologies do you have experience using? What has been most effective with university level non-English major learners?
What if you saw a fellow instructor (foreigner) letting his students out 10 minutes early from class each week where you're teaching in the classroom next to him - what would you do?
What are your research plans?
Are you currently writing any articles?
What have you been doing in terms of professional development?
A student complains that s/he received an unfair grade, how would you handle the situation?
You find out that a teacher has been giving a lot of undue attention to certain female students and asking them to go out with him, what would you do?
Students are often late to the first period classes and wander in quite late, how do you deal with these students?
60% is a pass. However, If a student scored 59% or 58% percent as a final grade, would you pass them or fail them? Why?
Do you plan on pursuing a doctorate in language education or applied linguistics?
How do you appeal to different learning styles when in the classroom?
Have you ever used Moodle or similar learning platforms?
What was the most recent article you published - can you quickly summarize it for us? |
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surfer11
Joined: 22 Dec 2012
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| Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 4:35 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks! |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 4:54 am Post subject: |
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| sligo wrote: |
search the internet for these buzzwords:
CLT
PPP
Task based Learning
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
Learner contract
Cyclical motivation
Learn what they mean, and drop them into the interview as and when they are necessary. After you say each one in the interview, give a 5 word definition so it seems you know what you are talking about. |
This will work if the members of the hiring committee are idiots. If they are in any way competent, using concept-dropping like this will likely make the applicant look like an idiot and can land him or her in interview trouble. Beleive me, I have seen it happen numerous times and it is not pretty.
OP, as one who was on a K-University's hiring committee for a few years here is my advice (note this is not universal, just my experience)...
1- Dress well and groom well.
This will at the very least put you in a good light with the committee. Showing up dressed casually is a strike against an applicant, especially in a competitive market.
2- Speak respecfully to the members of the commitee
This may seem obvious but you would be shocked at how many applicants take liberties with the hiring committee in terms of how they speak to them. Using casual language will typically work against you
3- Arrogance is bad
It can sink you fast! Instead remain polite and show a bit of humility. This does not mean that you should not show how confidant you are in your abilities however.
4- Bring supporting documents
This means your Resume, a teaching portfolio with relevant material you have developped as a teacher (ex: lesson plans, activities).
5- Be ready to explain what your teaching philosophy is.
That means how you approach teaching, what methods you use, how you tend to evaluate students....
6- Be proactive on prep.
I did this and it paid off big time...prepare a semester plan & bring it to the interview. That plan should show how you would deliver the lessons over a semester and include ideas on evaluations and activities. This will show them you are dedicated and serious.
7- Arrive early
8- Read up on the University and the Department.
Go to their website, read up on their staff, courses and on the activities the dept holds. Then you can ask informed questions on how things work at the dept, thereby showing them you have an interest in departemental life and activities
9- Prepare a 5-10 minute demo lesson.
10- Be ready to answer unexpected questions
This can be done by the committee to see how an applicant reacts to certain things.
Note that in many cases the interview or a large portion of it seeks to establish how an applicant would fit in at the school or dept. By the time an applicant reaches the interview stage, his or her credentials are established (qualifications for example) so what is being measured is the personality of the applicant and how they present themselves. Competence can also be evaluated but from experience what is being checked is your suitability to work well for the University and to fit in well with the staff.
Good luck. |
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sligo
Joined: 15 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 5:13 am Post subject: |
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| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
| sligo wrote: |
search the internet for these buzzwords:
CLT
PPP
Task based Learning
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
Learner contract
Cyclical motivation
Learn what they mean, and drop them into the interview as and when they are necessary. After you say each one in the interview, give a 5 word definition so it seems you know what you are talking about. |
This will work if the members of the hiring committee are idiots. If they are in any way competent, using concept-dropping like this will likely make the applicant look like an idiot and can land him or her in interview trouble. Beleive me, I have seen it happen numerous times and it is not pretty.
Good luck. |
If you simply use the buzzwords, then yes you will look like an idiot. What i meant to convey was that the applicant should spend a few hours reading about all these approaches, and develo an understanding that would allow then to be able to give a short definition (when they use the terms at the appropriate times in the interview) that will send the message to the interviewer that you are quoting relevant theory that you understand. I wasn't suggesting that knowing a buzzword is all you need. These are the basic spectrum of approaches to best practice ideas. If you get the job, you can develop a deeper understanding of these areas.
Last edited by sligo on Thu Jun 06, 2013 7:18 am; edited 1 time in total |
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surfer11
Joined: 22 Dec 2012
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| Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 5:31 am Post subject: |
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Thank you everyone for your comments and responses! I feel much better going into the interview!
Thanks! |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 6:40 am Post subject: |
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| sligo wrote: |
| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
| sligo wrote: |
search the internet for these buzzwords:
CLT
PPP
Task based Learning
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
Learner contract
Cyclical motivation
Learn what they mean, and drop them into the interview as and when they are necessary. After you say each one in the interview, give a 5 word definition so it seems you know what you are talking about. |
This will work if the members of the hiring committee are idiots. If they are in any way competent, using concept-dropping like this will likely make the applicant look like an idiot and can land him or her in interview trouble. Beleive me, I have seen it happen numerous times and it is not pretty.
Good luck. |
If you simply use the buzzwords, then yes you will look like an idiot. What i meant to convey was that the applicant should spend a few hours reading about all these approaches, and develo an understanding that would allow then to be able to give a short definition (when they use the terms at the appropriate times in the interview) that will send the message to the interviewer that you are quoting relevant theory that you understand. I wasn't suggesting that knowing a buzzword is all you need. These are the basic spectrum of approaches to best practice ideas. If you get the job, you can develop a deeper understanding of these areas.
I spent 2 minutes typing my original post, and was it really that difficult a stretch to assume this definition, rather than that of your reply? I did write "Learn what they mean" and not "learn the words". In case you were trying to be as helpful as i was, and the tone of your reply was unintende, then no worries, but if you meant to sound so conceited. I know a good shop to buy a ladder to help you down from your high horse! |
Not a high horse at all. I just saw too many applicants use concept dropping and end up looking stupid during an interview!
I mean you can read up on these concepts for a few hours online but that will only give you a superficial understanding of them. If by chance the members of the committee know and use these concepts you may end up on your ear if you toss em out there.
Say you are asked how would you apply this in a classroom setting? What are the advantages and disadvantages of that approach/concept for learners?
Answering this requires you know what you are talking about right? Jusat knowing the definitions and perhaps having a brief idea of what they mean will not be sufficient.
For example: Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
Very important concept for teachers (and for managers who deal with employees). Knowing that one means internal or self-motivation and the other can mean external motivation (ie: pressure, reward...) is easy. Telling someone how you apply this as a teacher, which tasks are well suited for each type of motivation, how to know which learner relies more on one or the other or even how to encourage a learner to move from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation requires you understand the concept and the dynamics behind it.
My point is stick to what you know and master and avoid embellishment or posing because all too often that ends up backfiring on you as an applicant.
No offense was intended.
OP: best of luck and pm me if you have other questions.
Note: I would personally encourage most teachers to become familiar with these concepts as they can truly transform your classes and become critically useful tools for you. |
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aecd
Joined: 24 Mar 2013
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| Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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My interview was a disaster. I didn't have any dress clothes, so I went in jeans and found myself sweating waterfalls. My application was also incomplete. I had no questions to ask them. I didn't use any of these freaky buzzwords. I don't have an MA. I assumed the entire time that it was impossible for me to get such a great job, so why bother to even try? They called me back two days later. Did I want the job? Why, yes, yes I did!
I've suspected the entire time that I've been here that they hired me purely as a result of my F-visa, so having one of those can't hurt.
One thing that really threw me was the foreigners at the interview. I assumed that I would be greeted by a group of Koreans with no knowledge of the English language, but instead I had to perform in front of two Americans, who were able to see straight through me and into my very soul! |
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Chaucer
Joined: 20 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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| aecd wrote: |
My interview was a disaster. I didn't have any dress clothes, so I went in jeans and found myself sweating waterfalls. My application was also incomplete. I had no questions to ask them. I didn't use any of these freaky buzzwords. I don't have an MA. I assumed the entire time that it was impossible for me to get such a great job, so why bother to even try? They called me back two days later. Did I want the job? Why, yes, yes I did!
I've suspected the entire time that I've been here that they hired me purely as a result of my F-visa, so having one of those can't hurt.
One thing that really threw me was the foreigners at the interview. I assumed that I would be greeted by a group of Koreans with no knowledge of the English language, but instead I had to perform in front of two Americans, who were able to see straight through me and into my very soul! |
Ha! "University" of Suwon? Hansei? |
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