| When applying for teaching positions in Japan I | | | | Role play activity. One member takes the teacher |
| think it is very important to get your interview | | | | the other members the students. Get your role |
| right. You'll need to prepare for this now more | | | | play and instructions ready. Keep it simple and |
| than ever because of the increase of supply | | | | remember keep teacher talking time to a minimal. |
| (teachers) and less demand (positions). Getting a | | | | PART 2 : WRITTEN TEST |
| job at an eikaiwa (English Conversation School) | | | | IMPORTANT : This test may be about 15 or 20 |
| just isn't as easy as it used to be. So if you don't | | | | minutes. *-The written test has 3 parts: Multi |
| prepare properly then your competition will simply | | | | choice, Grammar exercise and a short essay. The |
| win. A lot of Eikaiwa hold their job interviews in | | | | short essay is usually something about how you |
| foreign countries. They have a quota to fill and | | | | might fit into your new environment in Japan. |
| they choose what they consider to be the best | | | | PART 3 : PERSONAL ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW |
| of the bunch from the English conversation | | | | This might take 15 to 30 minutes. It may consist |
| teacher hopefuls. The goal of this brief article is to | | | | of basic everytime interview questions and more |
| make you familar with the interview process and | | | | than likely you will be hit with a quick fire question |
| to excel in the interview itself. The interview | | | | and answer session. this consists of a maximum |
| process: First of all after sending in your | | | | of 3 word answers. If you um or arrr then they |
| application you'll be invited to a group interview of | | | | simply move onto the next question. So get |
| about 5 hopefuls. This group interview process is | | | | ready for that.e.g. ) Recruiter : What are your |
| especially popular with the larger Eikaiwa | | | | best qualities? Applicant : Leadership, interesting, |
| companies who recruit the bulk of applicants from | | | | energetic ( ONLY 3 WORDS ) |
| foreign countries. This interview may last 3 or 4 | | | | Next they recruiter may as you to do a role play |
| hours. It is kind of a workshop. Here is the kind of | | | | where he/she acts as the student and you as the |
| thing that may fill up the schedule: | | | | teacher. Sounds easy right? Well you'll be given a |
| THE INTERVIEW IS DIVIDED INTO 3 SECTIONS | | | | lesson and asked to think on your feet. You'll |
| 1.Information session about the company, pay | | | | have to think of a good role play that |
| & schedule details and living in Japan in | | | | incorporates the grammar they want you to |
| general ( Activities included in here, so participate! | | | | teach. Be creative and once again remember |
| ) 2.Written test 3.Personal, one-on-one interview | | | | teaching talking time. The recruiter won't make it |
| INFORMATION SESSION Basic information about | | | | easy for you. They'll pretend they don't |
| Japan and the company. You may have to do a | | | | understand and give one word answers. So think |
| group activity here so don't be shy and | | | | how best to react to that before hand. |
| PARTICIPATE. This session can last upto 3 hours! | | | | After that you'll be asked how you felt it went |
| Activities may include each member of the group | | | | and be given constructive criticism. Maybe you'll be |
| telling an important Japanese custom. Each | | | | asked to practice some particular part again. |
| member will have to contribute to the list. Make | | | | Lastly they'll ask you what you want to achieve |
| sure you are prepared! | | | | by teaching in Japan. Good luck to all who try |
| Other possible activites: Describing a picture | | | | coming to Japan. It is most definately worth the |
| precisely and accurately. Other members will have | | | | effort in getting over here. |
| to find the picture. | | | | |