Hi! I used to live in Osaka in 2019 and I really want to come back, I had a job interview that went great with a language school from Tokyo and I passed the second interview! The third interview involves this: To give a lesson to a child an keep them entertained ONLINE. It’s just a normal english language school.
I study education and fit the job requirements, and I also know Japanese and have a bit of experience working with children but I would still like to know (this is for ESL JET ALT Teachers or anyone):
When you had your job interview for a position and were asked to talk with a child… how did you handle it? I know Japanese interviews are different to the ones in my country.
CAN YOU SHARE ME THE BEST TIPS YOU HAVE?
Thank you and I apologize, I just don’t know how job interviews work in Japan.
3 comments
I have given tons of IRL and online demo lessons for kids. Each situation has its own needs, and if I were you I’d focus on the online bit.
I highly recommend using a slideshow app with everything you need laid out. You don’t need to show the student your whole slideshow, but having something clearly laid out is great for fighting nerves or stage fright. And, of course, you can share your screen if you have flashcards or something.
If you can, test your lesson on the platform you’re using and record it so you can see what you look/sound like.
Always plan a few time fillers, and make your final activity easy to end abruptly. Some kids are super fast, and some are really slow.
This may be a small tip, but something I did back when I taught on Zoom during lockdown was start the lesson with a “talking stuffed animal” in the frame. The kids loved it and it got their attention. When I entered the frame, I panned over to the other wall where I pasted some faces. I’d stand in front of one and ask something like “do you see the happy face?” and look around, gradually revealing that face. They say it’s there, but I pretended couldn’t find it. I asked them questions where it was but still pretended I couldn’t find it.
The kids were howling with laughter and it definitely kept their attention.
We also did show and tell and colour finds and scavenger hunts in their own homes.
Use your own surroundings and use their surroundings too! Good luck!
Relax its not too scary
I taught on zoom when covid was bad with parents, teachers, and staff watching for several months
I made a custom PowerPoint with graphics
But also you can use props or materials like cards with what you’re teaching
Anything to make the class interesting for the student
Remember to focus on the student and connect as much as possible with the student
And zone out of the staff and everyone else watching and you’ll do great 👍