Common ESL Interview Questions

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Written by Chris Cotter

There seems to be an abundance of ESL jobs out there, as English becomes increasingly important for business, study, and recreation. But any teacher in the industry will readily tell you more than a few horror stories, either firsthand experiences or those of a close friend or colleague.

Of course there are reputable schools out there. Many places sincerely want to improve their teaching staff, provide good customer service, and see their students meet with success. Unfortunately, a lot of places exist just to bilk money from the masses, and working conditions end up as similarly abysmal.

In order to ensure that you land in a company or school that values teaching ability, as opposed to the simple fact that English happens to be your mother tongue, the interview proves very, very important. Consider the following questions and the purpose of each question for success at the interview. Never lie, but through an understanding that the purpose of one question perhaps sheds light on how you deal with stress, and another examines your optimistic (or pessimistic) views, you'll find it easier to give effective answers. And it goes without saying that interviewing well improves your chances with the right institutions.

Here are a few final points before some sample questions:

Practice answering the questions, yet don't end up with scripted answers. If possible, practice answering the questions with a friend. A dynamic conversation, with its myriad of follow-up questions and need for clarification, mimics an interview. As a result, it limits just how scripted and carefully practiced the answers will feel during the real thing.

Whenever possible, give specifics. A smart manager wants to hear how you deal with problems, difficulties, and your views on teaching. That means case examples of past problems and situations. The manager doesn't want vague answers, nor answers explaining how you might deal with adverse situations.

Interviewer: What are your strengths as a teacher?
You: I'm very good at explaining and clarifying target language, and adjust my speaking to the level of the class. Just last week I was teaching the past progressive tense to a small group of students, and I explaining the grammar by...

Question: Where would you like to be in two years?

Context: A lot of people teach English overseas to fund their travels in Asia, Europe, or wherever. This is fine. The interviewer wants to know how long you intend to stick around, though. From a management's point of view, it takes several months before a new hire gets even close to working at full capacity. If you intend to skip out after six months, then a lot of training and future potential loses all meaning.

Answer: Tell the truth about your plans, and always leave the option open that you could stay longer than six months or a year. A lot of people fall in love with the country or region, and stay far longer than initially planned. Even more people realize that one year really limits just how much they can see, do, and learn, again prompting a longer than expected stay.

Question: What annoys you, and how do you deal with it?

Context: This question wants to know how you deal with everyday annoyances and stress. Some students prove difficult to teach. Some teachers prove difficult to work with. Hence the interview wants to know if you might explode, take too many "sick" days, or just stop coming altogether

Even more important, this question provides insight into how you may deal with culture shock, assuming you live abroad, of course. Everyone suffers from culture shock from time to time, and it returns in cycles. Some teachers don't handle annoyances and stress very well, which means bouts of culture shock tend to be even worse. Students suffer, as do other teachers.

Answer: Talk about one or two things that annoy you, and don't delve too deeply. Also make sure they aren't trivial. Lastly, make sure you also explain how you deal with these annoyances, preferably in a proactive manner.

Question: What will you miss about your last job?

Context: The interviewer wants to determine just how positive or negative a person you really are with this question. If you offer a few trivial comments, then he/she may look to delve deeper, because all but the most abysmal jobs have several good points. The interviewer will want to know why you don't have much to say here.

Answer: Give a few positives, and also explain precisely why you found these points rewarding and positive enough to miss. Cut the negativity, though. Even if the management has done you real wrong, it could still send the signal to the interviewer that you don't take direction well. He/She also doesn't want to hear about all the injustices you may have suffered with you last employer. It's always about what skills, experience, and outlook you'll bring to his/her company.

Question: What do you think about correction?

Context: This one is pretty straightforward. The interviewer wants to know how you correct students, which proves a very important aspect of language acquisition.

Answer: "It depends on the context, and you need to vary the kinds of correction offered with the situation. At times, the teacher should quickly correct the students and move on. At other times, the students should be encouraged to notice mistakes and offer peer correction." (For more information, read: How to Correct: Four Ways to Handle Correction.)

Question: What kind of students do you prefer to teach?

Context: In more and more situations, this means: Do you like to teach children? Many schools are moving into the kids' market, and you may be called on to teach teenager, junior high school students, and even younger.

Answer: Be honest. State what kind of classes you like to teach. If you like small classes or adults or advanced learners, then tell the interviewer. You don't have to preclude other types of students with something like: "I won't teach kids." A vague answer here could mean that you get the job, and then have to teach the types of lessons you abhor.

Question: What can you provide that other applicants can't?

Context: This is an impossible question to answer, because you haven't met the other candidates. The interviewer wants to know why you are special (or why you think you're special). Your answer should summarize the skills you've previously talked about, and also tie to the requirements of the position.

Answer: You'll need to prepare a bit for this one. Write down five skills and/or traits that best explain just how right you are for the position. As mentioned earlier, support the information with details.

Although there are an infinite number of questions an interview could ask, these should get you started. More importantly, they'll get you thinking in terms of what the interviewer is looking for. Good luck!