Questions
Questions
Questions
It’s safe to assume that every interview will start with this question. And while it seems like a
straightforward question to answer, your interviewer probably doesn’t want to hear about your
astrological sign or how pizza is your favorite food. Instead, they want to know more about your
personality and how it relates to the position you’re applying for.
By asking this question, your interviewer really wants to know about the skills you have that are
relevant to the job. For this reason, you need to frame your answer in a way that tells them
you’re qualified for this particular position.
For example, if you were interviewing for an elementary school position in South Korea, here
are some ways you could answer the question:
I enjoy trying new things and learning about new cultures, and have taken the time to learn a
little bit about Korean history.
I’m a very active person, which is why I enjoy planning English lessons with a lot of hands-on
activities.
I like working with children and have experience volunteering at my local recreational center.
2. Why do you want to be a teacher?
This is another common interview question, and is one that a lot of unprepared people answer
wrong.
If your interviewer asks you why you want to be a teacher or why you want this job in
particularly, you need to construct your answer in a way that shifts the focus from you onto the
job itself. You never want to answer this question by saying you simply want a job, that the pay
is good or because you want to travel abroad.
Instead, focus on answers that really let the interviewer know that teaching is your passion. Tell
them that you enjoy helping people or that you want to use your skills to empower students by
teaching them how to succeed in an English-speaking environment.
3. What’s the best way to teach English?
If you’re asked this question during your interview, there’s a good chance that you’re being
asked a trick question.
That’s because there is no “best way” to teach English. People learn differently and what works
for one student might not be the best approach for another. For this reason, you shouldn’t answer
this question by talking about specific teaching methods like drilling vocabulary or reading and
writing.
Instead, answer the question by saying the best way to teach English is to create a number of
different activities to appeal to various types of learning styles. That way, everyone can
understand and enjoy your lessons.
4. What’s a challenge you’ve faced in the classroom?
You’ll want to be careful when answering this question. If you talk about being unable to control
problem students, your interviewer may think you have poor classroom management skills.
Rather than speak about behavioral and academic challenges you’ve had with particular students,
talk about actual classroom challenges like teaching without state-of-the-art technology, using
outdated books or having under-resourced classrooms.
Also, make sure that you spin your answer into a success story. An example would be teaching at
a school that had minimal resources, and how your solution was to create your own props,
flashcards and other teaching aids with paper and markers.
5. What are some successful teaching methods you use?
A good way to answer this question is to focus on creating lessons that involve a multitude of
different activities that get your students talking and participating in class. The goal here is to
showcase your versatility so your interviewer knows that your teaching methods extend beyond
worksheets and textbook activities.
To do this, you can mention some of the following teaching methods:
In-class debates and presentations.
Role-playing exercises.
Arts-and-crafts activities.
Teaching with television and music.
6. How do you handle a problem student?
As a teacher, you’ll encounter problem students from time to time. You interviewer understands
that, which is why they’re not interested in whether you’ve had problem students, but how
you’ve handled them.
As an ESL teacher in a foreign country, it’s rarely your role to act as the disciplinarian. Native
teachers often take care of that simply because they’re able to better communicate with the
students or their parents.
When answering this question, don’t focus on being punitive. Instead, talk about how every
student has the potential to excel in English, how problem students aren’t being engaged
properly and how devoting more time to helping them overcome their challenges motivates them
to participate in the classroom and not be disruptive.
7. How do you make sure your students understand you?
Having your students understand you is an important part of being an English teacher. That’s
why you should answer this question in a way that shows the interviewer you go the extra step to
check your students’ understanding.
One way to do this is to elicit responses from your students instead of spoon-feeding them
definitions. With the help of concept check questions (CCQs) and instruction check questions
(ICQs), you can assess your students’ understanding without directly asking them questions.
For example, if you just finished teaching a lesson on Japanese food, you could ask the following
CCQs to your students to gauge their understanding:
Is sushi made from pork?
Is sushi fish and noodles?
Do they eat a lot of kimchi in Japan?
The same concept applies with ICQs, except you’re testing their understanding of instructions
instead of learning material. If you’ve just told your class to write a paragraph on how to eat
sushi, some examples of ICQs would be:
Are you going to write three paragraphs?
Are you writing about how to make sushi?
Can you write about hamburgers?
You might also want to mention that you frequently give your students quizzes and assessments
designed to check their understanding. This can be done through a number of different exercises
such as matching vocabulary words to definitions, fill-in-the-blank exercises and short writing
activities.
Another thing to consider adding in your answer is the importance of teaching students how to
ask for clarification when they don’t understand something.
8. What are your qualifications?
Most schools you apply to are going to want some sort of qualification that proves you’re a
competent teacher. Universities, prestigious private schools and high-paying positions in some
countries often want a master’s degree in either teaching or linguistics.
At the very least you’ll need a teaching certification or post-graduate certificate of education
(PGCE).
There are also other programs like DELTA, CELTA and TEFL certifications that many schools
accept as a teaching qualification.
While it’s ideal to have one of these degrees or certificates, you can still land a good job without
one if you’re able to sell yourself. And in order to do that you’ll need to answer this question in a
way that ties your work experience into teaching.
Answer this question by talking about any leadership positions you’ve had over the years, like:
Working as a one-on-one tutor.
Volunteering at a youth outreach program.
Working as a camp counselor.
Each of these positions requires the same skillset that you need to be an effective classroom
teacher, like building rapport and helping individuals overcome various obstacles in their way.
9. Why do you think students need to learn English?
How you answer this question will help your interviewer gauge what you think your students’
needs and expectations are. For this reason, you shouldn’t give a brief answer talking about how
English is everywhere. Instead, focus on how learning English can empower your students.
For example, traveling abroad becomes much easier once you’re able to speak English since it’s
a global language. There might be situations where hotels, airports or tourist attractions don’t
have a native speaker in your students’ first language—but there’s a greater possibility that an
English speaker will be available.
Furthermore, knowing English opens up a world of opportunities, including international
jobs and degree programs that require English proficiency.
10. Have you ever lived in another country before?
Regardless of whether your answer is yes or no, you want to answer the question in a way that
tells the interviewer that you’re agreeable and flexible.
Talk about how you love stepping out of your comfort zone, learning about new cultures and
experiencing new things. That way, prospective employers won’t be afraid of you abandoning
your position because of culture shock.
Before your next interview with an overseas school, use this list to anticipate potential questions
and come up with good responses for them. That way, you’ll sound more confident and
knowledgeable throughout your interview, increasing your chances of getting the job!
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/educator-english/interview-questions-for-english-teachers/
How do you plan when starting a new topic with your class?
Describe a teaching method you have successfully used to help students understand a difficult
scientific concept.
This question seems simple, so many people fail to prepare for it, but it's crucial. Here's the deal:
Don't give your complete employment (or personal) history. Instead give a pitch—one that’s
concise and compelling and that shows exactly why you’re the right fit for the job. Start off with
the 2-3 specific accomplishments or experiences that you most want the interviewer to know
about, then wrap up talking about how that prior experience has positioned you for this specific
role.
What can you bring to our school that makes you unique?
This question is pretty straight forward, and the perfect opportunity for you to really let your
unique qualities shine. Talk about activities you’ve participated in or passions you have that can
easily translate into teachable moments and classroom activities that fall outside the usual
curriculum that is currently being enacted. Don’t criticize what they’re doing, but explain how
what you’re bringing will augment and compliment what they’ve already got in place.
This question allows your interviewers to get to know what it takes to ruffle your feathers and
how you’ll behave when faced with that situation. Find a situation that is fairly common for all
teachers and then explain how you’ve dealt with that frustration. Remember, you want to focus
on positive aspects of your teaching style, so if you’re still frustrated with a situation and haven’t
figured out how to work around it yet, maybe don’t use that one as your example.
Everyone will have a unique answer to this question as everyone’s experiences with education,
experience, and own personal history will determine how they’ve shaped their own philosophy.
What drives you to teach? What is your approach to teaching and what guides you and how you
run your classroom? Take time before you get into the interview to really focus on what your
philosophy is and how you apply it every day.
This question evaluates a candidate’s ability to asses the role and determine what is required for
success. This will allow the candidate to assess their own requirements as well as those required
by the administration. “I think that teachers need to have patience, flexibility, and self-discipline
to be successful. Teaching can be difficult and frustrating, but it is extremely rewarding and it
takes a certain type of individual to excel. Teachers have to consider state/local testing objectives
when creating lesson plans while making sure that students are able to master the subject
material beyond what is going to be on a test. Students also have different methods of learning
and a teacher must be able to adapt their lessons to ensure that all students are engaged and able
to learn the material.”
How do you approach discipline and what role does it play in learning?
Teachers routinely deal with discipline issues in the course of their daily activities. It is
extremely important for a candidate to explain how they view discipline and what role it plays in
the classroom. Discipline is an important part of maintaining an effective learning environment
and largely depends on teaching style, age of students, and district policies. “I believe that
discipline is an important part of the learning process. I approach it by clearly explaining what is
expected and what the limits are in my syllabus as well as my initial class orientation. Discipline
is the foundation of respect in the classroom and accountability from the students. In my
experience, students do not respond well to forceful discipline. They want a framework where
they agree to the rules, are respected as individuals, and are held accountable for their decisions
and actions.”
This is another incredibly common question and it gives you a great opportunity to stand out
from the crowd and really show the hiring manager how you can help the company.
Leverage your company research and the job description to find exactly why the company is
hiring someone for this position. What problem/pain points does the new hire have to solve? You
need to show that you are the perfect candidate that can solve those problems/pain points.
We have written an in depth blog post on why should we hire you here.
DO:
• Show the hiring manager that you are uniquely suited to filling this position. Be the candidate
that solves their “problems“.
• Show you know some significant details about the company and their general practices because
you have researched the firm and are prepared.
• Tell a “success story” that highlights how you have the ‘qualities’ needed to fill their specific
needs.
DON’T:
• Don’t get discouraged if the hiring manager mentions that “they have lots of very well qualified
candidates…” before they lead into this question. (It’s a common “lead in”)
• Don’t be too modest. This is your chance to shine. Make it count.
• On the flip side don’t go too overboard and sound too arrogant.
• Don’t be “wishy-washy” or too general with your answer.
Don’t answer with “why” you want the job. Answer with “why you are the perfect fit” for the
job.
This is a fairly straight forward question to handle. Talk about a “strength” that you know the
company puts a lot of value in.
We have written an in depth blog post over at: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
DO:
• Grab hold of the opportunity this question gives you. This question really lets you guide the
interview where you want it to go. This your chance to relate your most impressive success story,
so take advantage!
• Highlight a strength that is crucial to the position. (As I mentioned earlier)
• Find out from your company research and from the job description what strengths the company
puts a lot of stock into.
DON’T:
• Don’t make claims that you can’t illustrate with a brief example or fact.
• Don’t be overly modest but don’t claim to be Superman or Superwoman either.
• Don’t name a strength that is irrelevant to the job at hand.
This classic question freaks people out but it shouldn’t. As long as you pick a weakness that isn’t
a key competency for the job and you show that you have taken steps to “work on it”, you will
be fine. Don’t try and sidestep this question.
For a more thorough look at the what is your greatest weakness question click here.
DO:
• Show that you are aware of your weakness and what you have done to overcome it.
• Show that you are “self-aware” and that you have the ability to take steps to improve yourself.
DON’T:
• Don’t you DARE answer with the cliche “I’m a perfectionist” answer or any other such answer
that the hiring manager can see right through.
• Don’t highlight a weakness that is a core competency of the job. (Know the job description
“inside and out”.)
• Don’t dodge this question.
Candidates show up to interviews with a goal of impressing you. So, chances are, that applicant
is armed and ready with a few major accomplishments up her sleeve.
Whether it’s an award, a certification, or a big project that went exceptionally well, asking the
interviewee what in her professional history she’s proudest of will give you a better sense of
where her strengths really lie.
Plus, this question offers the chance for her to expand on something she feels good about—
which can ease her nerves and help to boost her confidence going into the rest of the interview.
Here it is—yet another question that is sure to make every job seeker cringe. Nobody wants to
seem like they’re bad-mouthing a previous boss or employer, which makes this one tricky for
applicants to answer.
However, posing this question will give you some greater insight into that person’s professional
history—as well as help you to identify any red flags (ahem, complaining endlessly about his
boss, for example) that might indicate that candidate isn’t the best one for the job.
Any candidate can read and regurgitate the company’s “About” page. So, when interviewers ask
this, they aren't necessarily trying to gauge whether you understand the mission—they want to
know whether you care about it. Start with one line that shows you understand the company's
goals, using a couple key words and phrases from the website, but then go on to make it
personal. Say, “I’m personally drawn to this mission because…” or “I really believe in this
approach because…” and share a personal example or two.
Again, companies want to hire people who are passionate about the job, so you should have a
great answer about why you want the position. (And if you don't? You probably should apply
elsewhere.) First, identify a couple of key factors that make the role a great fit for you (e.g., “I
love customer support because I love the constant human interaction and the satisfaction that
comes from helping someone solve a problem"), then share why you love the company (e.g.,
“I’ve always been passionate about education, and I think you guys are doing great things, so I
want to be a part of it”).
This interview question seems forward (not to mention intimidating!), but if you're asked it,
you're in luck: There's no better setup for you to sell yourself and your skills to the hiring
manager. Your job here is to craft an answer that covers three things: that you can not only do
the work, you can deliver great results; that you'll really fit in with the team and culture; and that
you'd be a better hire than any of the other candidates.
If asked this question, be honest and specific about your future goals, but consider this: A hiring
manager wants to know a) if you've set realistic expectations for your career, b) if you have
ambition (a.k.a., this interview isn't the first time you're considering the question), and c) if the
position aligns with your goals and growth. Your best bet is to think realistically about where
this position could take you and answer along those lines. And if the position isn’t necessarily a
one-way ticket to your aspirations? It’s OK to say that you’re not quite sure what the future
holds, but that you see this experience playing an important role in helping you make that
decision.
If you were unemployed for a period of time, be direct and to the point about what you’ve been
up to (and hopefully, that’s a litany of impressive volunteer and other mind-enriching activities,
like blogging or taking classes). Then, steer the conversation toward how you will do the job and
contribute to the organization: “I decided to take a break at the time, but today I’m ready to
contribute to this organization in the following ways.”
What would your first 30, 60, or 90 days look like in this role?
Start by explaining what you'd need to do to get ramped up. What information would you need?
What parts of the company would you need to familiarize yourself with? What other employees
would you want to sit down with? Next, choose a couple of areas where you think you can make
meaningful contributions right away. (e.g., “I think a great starter project would be diving into
your email marketing campaigns and setting up a tracking system for them.”) Sure, if you get the
job, you (or your new employer) might decide there’s a better starting place, but having an
answer prepared will show the interviewer where you can add immediate impact—and that
you’re excited to get started.
Around 75 percent of job seekers will say “Nope, I think that’s everything” to this question.
Terrible response.
This question gives you a fantastic opportunity to stand out from the crowd and show your
knowledge and passion for the company or organization you are interviewing for. Always have a
few questions prepared and have one based around something you found during your company
research phase.
• Focus your questions on the company and what you can do for them.
• Ask about something you’ve discovered in your company research. This will show your
passion and knowledge of the company.
• Ask if there is any reason the hiring manager wouldn’t hire you. (This can be a little daunting
to ask BUT can really pay off. It allows you to address something they may be thinking in their
head but haven’t brought up.)
DON’T:
• Never say “No, I think I’m good.” Always have questions ready!
• Don’t focus your questions on yourself and what you can get from them. (i.e.
• Don’t ask questions that you could easily find the answer to.
• Don’t ask about time off and benefits too early in the process.
• Don’t ask how soon you can start applying for other positions in the company.