The Job Interview
The interview process is an important step to consider in applying for jobs. It's not just where to look for the job postings, and an effective resume and cover letter (of course including your credentials) that gets you a job; the interview is a crucial step in this process.
Like in all interviews, there is some critical advice and steps to keep in mind. Desirae, a former graduate of the ESL Teacher Certificate Program (2008), and a current staff member at W.E.L.A.R.C. (http://www.welarc.net/), has some effective advice (in a convenient acronym) that will help graduates with interviewing for any position: 'OF COURSE!'
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For more information on the 'S.T.A.R' interview technique, view the following resource: |
Interview Questions
In terms of the questions to expect in an EAL interview, there will likely be many similarities to other interviews, including "Tell us about yourself, your education, and your strengths/weaknesses" (etc.). The may also ask questions about the job, such as "What do you know about our program, the students we support, and the courses we offer?" However, questions for an EAL interview may be more specific than what you might have encountered in a non-teaching interview, including some of the following:
Depending on the program to which you are applying and the students that this program targets, more specific questions may be asked, including:
*Above resource: Adapted from Desirae Mercer.
For more information and strategies on preparing for the interview process, consider viewing the resources below:
- Why do you want to be a teacher? What qualities do you have that are effective for this profession?
- Questions about newcomers to Manitoba: what do you know about them? War-affected youth, Provincial Nominee Program, etc. the challenges of newcomers and their continuum from acclimatization to adaptation to integration; other settlement issues
- General TESL knowledge
- How to developing opportunities for dtudent engagement, interaction, and communicative practice
- Provide examples of a theme-based modules, authentic task-based activities for different classes (or the exact class being hired for)
- Lesson plans: show us one or describe one to us (bring a portfolio if possible to the interview)
- The structure of lessons, including accuracy-building and fluency-building activities
- Questions about needs assessments and goal statements (bring an example)
- Classroom management: what do you do when....?
- Questions about the CLB if the program uses these
- Questions about assessment practices: How do you assess learning, when do you assess learning, and how do you provide students with effective feedback?
Depending on the program to which you are applying and the students that this program targets, more specific questions may be asked, including:
- What are the Essential Skills? How can they be integrated into the lessons?
- What is English for Specific Purposes? How does it differ from traditional ideas about teaching and learning English as an Additional Language?
- What might be some challenges international students face when coming to Winnipeg?
- What do you know about the pathways to immigration in Manitoba/Canada?
- What is the role of EAL in immigrant settlement?
*Above resource: Adapted from Desirae Mercer.
For more information and strategies on preparing for the interview process, consider viewing the resources below: