Doing an ESL Teaching Demo

For most of the ESL teaching jobs you will apply for, the school will require you to give a demonstration of your teaching ability. For someone with little or no experience teaching, this can be a fearful prospect. However, with the proper preparation, you are sure to make a good impression. While this article is based on my experience looking for jobs in Taiwan, it is probably useful for anyone who must go through this step to find an ESL job.

Whatever you do, don't walk into classroom completely unprepared. If you have to hesitate and think about what you should do next or if you look uncertain or uncomfortable the evaluating teaching will think you don't know what you are doing. You will need to bring your own supplies, including pencils and whiteboard markers if you need them. Not all schools have working ones. Demos usually last about 10-15 minutes, so make a short lesson plan with an activity that will involve the whole class. It is good to begin by teaching (keep this part short), move to student participation, and end with an activity that reviews what you taught.

The demo you do will be determined by the class you plan to teach. Be warned, however, that some schools will have you do your demo in front if a different class. My first job was teaching English to 2^nd graders, but since that class hadn't started when I arrived for my interview I demoed in front of a kindergarten class. Generally, though, schools will want to see what you can do with a class similar to the one you will teach.

For a kindergarten or other beginner class, you'll want to choose something simple. Pick a topic that anyone can quickly grasp. Then, come up with some vocabulary that goes with the topic. If possible, bring along flashcards other objects to demonstrate the new words. Do something where the students will be active, but not out of control or the school will think you can't handle a class. I would often teach about magnets. I would teach them what metal is and show the students things you could do with magnets. At the end, I would give the students a magnet and have them walk around the room finding things made of metal.

For a more advanced class you can choose a more difficult topic. A good choice might be to play a game to review what they already know. If you would rather teach an actual lesson, try to do on something they are already familiar with. It looks bad if you ask them questions they can't answer, even after just a five minute lesson. For this type of lesson a grammar activity often works well. Pick a topic that is easy enough, prepositions, for example. Write a few on the board and demonstrate them. Ask students questions like "Who is behind Amy?" or "What is on your table?" Then, point to objects around the room and ask students where they are. Whatever you do, be sure they answer in complete sentences. An exercise where the students speak rather than write is preferable, as writing takes longer and the evaluating teacher watching you will likely get board.

A few schools will want you to teach something using their own material. Some will give you a choice, but others will insist on it. I've even gone to one school where the evaluating teacher kept me in front of the class so she could take a break. Most just want to see what you can do with material from the appropriate level. There's really no way to prepare for this beforehand. Ask to have a few minutes to go over the material if you need it. Generally, most schools use workbooks that will have a reading text followed by writing exercises. These books are designed to be idiot proof and you can probably teach it without a teacher's manual. If this is the case, just follow the book, but be as creative as you can in your teaching method.

No matter what you teach in the demo, make yourself look like a good teacher. Don't be too serious or they will think you are boring. Don't appear too energetic or they will think you are careless. Smile a lot and speak nicely to the students. Since private language schools operate for the sake of earning money, they want a teacher who will keep the kids happy as much if not more than they want someone who can actually teach. Most young students will not misbehave around a stranger, but if any do don't try to reprimand them. Just gently turn their attention back to the lesson. Most of all, be confident and look like you know what you are doing. Most language school employees have little knowledge about education and don't really know what they want a foreign teacher to do. They'll pick someone who looks like he or she does.

Have a look through my other articles for information about locating a job, doing the interview, teaching theory, non-teaching jobs, and relocating to Taiwan.

Good luck!!!