School Interview Tips

So you are about to head into your interview with the China school. Whether it be on skype or face to face. Ensure that you always treat the interviews the same. We have put together some interview tips below. Good Luck!

• What to Wear

Please make sure you are well presented, regardless of whether you will be there in person, online or in front of a camera. This means business casual, at least.

 

• What to Talk About

1. Who You Are
   One of the first things the school will want to know is who you are, here’s a list to help you prepare:
   1. Name
   2. Where you are from
   3. Summary of teaching and/or education
   4. Why you want to teach in Shenzhen or this age group (or even better, in this particular school)
2. Relevant Experience:
   Consider what you have done that makes you suitable for working at this particular school. Do you have similar experience? Have you worked with kids of the same age before? Make a list.Questions to consider:
   1. Where have you taught before?
   2. What ages did you teach?
   3. What aspects of English did you focus on? (Oral, Reading, Writing, Listening)
   4. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
   5. What did you enjoy about this experience?
   6. What did you learn that you think can help you to teach successfully in Shenzhen?
   7.  
3. Your Interests:
   What interests do you have that might excite the school? Beyond just wanting to teach EFL, do you have other things to offer? Music? Drama? Art? Sports? Make a list.

    

4. Consider Your Audience:
   All schools will have their own individual expectations, and you can always ask us if you are looking for more guidance. In the meantime, here are some general tips based on different types of school:Public Schools in general will want teachers who can excite their students’ interest in English and become an active member of the school’s staff. With this in mind you should think about how you will engage and excite large classes of students that you only see once a week, and how you are willing to get involved with the school outside of your weekly classes.Kindergartens and Primary Schools will be looking for more lively teachers who can inspire their young students. How can you show this in your call? If that’s not your style, but you’re still confident of teaching these ages, how can you show that?

    

   Middle Schools and High Schools will expect more experienced, and perhaps more “serious” teachers. Think about how you will demonstrate that during your call.

   Make a list to prepare for your target school.
   

5. Show Your Interest:
   One great way to express your interest in a school is to come prepared with a list of questions about them and how they do things. Just be careful not to ask too many overly-specific questions, as these may be difficult for school reps to answer and leave them embarrassed.Here are some suggestions:
   1. What grades would you like me to teach?
   2. What topics would you like me to teach?
   3. Is there a textbook? Would you like me to follow it?
   4. Are there any activities you would like me to help with?
   5. What are the students at your school like?These are good questions that show an interest in teaching, the students and helping the school.

              

•  School Calls

1. Environment:
   What’s behind you? Is it distracting? Does it give a bad impression? Is it noisy where you are? Are there other people or sounds that might interrupt your call? Eliminate all these factors before you start.
2. Dry Run:
   Can you do a trial run with a 1 minute video or Skype call to a friend or family member? This would be a great way to make sure your voice is clear and the video quality is good. If you identify problems through a trial run, you can avoid wasting time and potentially missing the opportunity to say more during your call.

Good luck in your China School interview fingers crossed, follow our guide to help you succeed!