tEACHER JOB INTERVIEW

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Welcome to this teacher interview. Please tell me about yourself.

Thank you for this opportunity.


I have the skills to match the teaching job description. I am a knowledgeable, patient, enthusiastic and
diligent teacher whose passion is helping students reach their full potential. After attaining my desired
grades at university, I gained experience in several teaching positions where I honed my skills in
delivering engaging lesson plans, motivating students and ensuring classroom discipline.

I have a track record of achievement. In my last teaching position, I turned an underperforming class into
one where all students achieved good grades. If you hire me, I will be a good role model for the school,
teach with passion and be flexible to help you deliver the curriculum.

OK, thank you for that answer. Why did you decide to become a teacher?
I decided to become a teacher because I enjoy the responsibility that comes with the role. I get lots of
job satisfaction in helping students realize their full potential.
I also decided to become a teacher because I enjoy creating engaging lesson plans and I thrive on the
challenge of changing my teaching style to meet the needs of my students. Being a teacher is a job that
I take seriously, and I am very passionate about the role.

Why do you want to teach at this school?


I want to teach at this school because you have a great reputation and the teachers, I have spoken to
who work here have said great things about how the school is run.
You have excellent training facilities, and you take safeguarding seriously.
I am seeking long-term employment at this school, and I believe your culture and high standards are
perfectly aligned with my teaching values.

OK, next question.


Describe your teaching style.
My teaching style is a combination of demonstrator, facilitator and collaborative. I enjoy using a variety of
engaging teaching styles to keep lessons interesting.
I involve my students in the learning process and encourage positive and open conversation. Finally, I
ask my students to work together during lessons so they can learn from each other, and I ensure they
are all supported to achieve their academic goals.

Tell me, what are your greatest strengths as a teacher?


My greatest strengths as a teacher include good knowledge of my subject, communication, flexibility,
creativity and patience.
I communicate clearly and I clarify that my students fully understand the lesson. I am flexible with my
working hours, meaning I can support the school in the effective delivery of the curriculum. My creativity
means I will always find interesting ways for my students to learn and my patience ensures students feel
supported in a safe learning environment.

OK, thank you. What's your biggest weakness?


My biggest weakness as a teacher is over planning. I am a diligent organiser and planner but sometimes
I spend too long preparing for lessons.
However, I am learning to prepare for lessons more efficiently and then respond to the needs of my
students during the teaching process.

How would you cope with the stress of being a teacher?


I cope with the stress of being a teacher by planning for each lesson in advance, assessing the needs
of my students so that time is saved during teaching and by immersing myself in self-care. I am a fit and
active person who takes time out to rest and recuperate when the opportunity presents itself.

I am naturally a calm person who isn't fazed by much. I can be relied upon to handle the stress of being
a teacher and my classroom management skills ensure discipline amongst my students is positive,
which helps to reduce stress.

How do you handle classroom management and discipline?


I have a good ability to manage classroom behavior, and it starts with establishing rules that all students
believe in and understand their benefits.

I build positive relationships with students and use their first names to make them feel engaged, but I
also ensure that professional boundaries are never crossed. I am consistent, treat all students fairly and
always set a positive tone. If I am unsure about a problem in the classroom, I will consult other teachers.

Describe a time when you had to adapt your teaching style for a challenging situation.
A student I was teaching recently was struggling to grasp a lesson. Other students in the class were
managing to understand it fine.

To not make the student feel excluded, I decided to try an alternative teaching style. I used diagrams and
everyday scenarios the student could relate to and I asked them questions they could easily answer to
encourage them to grasp the subject. By being creative and dynamically assessing their needs, I was
able to teach them the subject so that they understood.

That's the end of your teacher interview. Do you have any questions?
Thank you.
I have just three questions I would like to ask please.

Question number one is how does the school support ongoing professional development and growth for
its teachers?
My second question is what qualities do the top performing teachers have in this school?
And question number three is what are the next steps of the interview process and when can I expect to
hear from you?
Helma, could you tell me a bit about why you chose to pursue a career in English teaching?
Of course. Teaching English has always felt like my calling. I’ve been passionate about it since high
school, inspired by teachers who made learning enjoyable and practical. I want to do the same for my
students, helping them see English as a valuable skill they can use in their daily lives.

That’s inspiring. Could you give an example of a teaching approach or activity you use to keep
students engaged?
Certainly. One of my favorite activities is called "Real-World English." I ask students to bring in
situations where they’d like to use English, like ordering food or introducing themselves in a professional
setting. We role-play these situations, which makes learning practical and directly applicable. I’ve found
that students become more motivated and confident when they see the immediate benefits.

That’s a very practical approach. How do you handle students with different learning levels in
one class?
I make sure to assess each student’s level, and I adapt to my lessons, so everyone stays engaged. For
example, I might give simpler prompts to beginners while encouraging more advanced students to add
detail in discussions. That way, everyone can participate at their level, but they’re all learning together.

Great. What’s your approach to teaching grammar?


I like to teach grammar in context. Instead of just explaining rules, I use sentences from real
conversations or reading materials, which helps make it feel more natural. I also give students lots of
opportunities to speak and write, so they can apply the rules rather than just memorize them.

It sounds like you have a thoughtful approach. What would you say you enjoy most about
teaching?
What I enjoy most is seeing students grow—especially when they start using English with confidence.
When a student tells me they successfully ordered food in English or made a new friend using what they
learned in class, it’s incredibly rewarding.

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