EFL Interview: Questions to Ask a Potential Employer

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking experiences that require preparation, and interviews for EFL jobs worldwide are not much different. Candidates still need to be calm and confident during interviews, and answer questions accordingly. Unlike typical job interviews, most EFL jobs utilize the phone interview in place of the face-to-face for candidates who are not currently in country. It's not exactly convenient for most EFL instructors to travel to another country just for an interview. While phone interviews don't require candidates to be well dressed, the questions and answers can still be a difficult point for most.

The most important thing to remember when it comes to EFL jobs is that your questions to the employer are more important than the questions being asked to you. For any interview it is important to ask a potential employer some key questions; this element is much more important for EFL positions. Schools around the world need qualified English teachers--there are more available jobs than teachers available. This means you hold the upper hand in the interview process.

Unless you are applying for a position with an established and respected program such as JET or Peace Corps, there are a variety of questions you should ask to help avoid employment disasters in the future.

1. How many classes will I teach each day and how long is each class? This sounds like an obvious question with an obvious answer, but it's not. Some job advertisements state 18 hours of teaching per week or something similar. Does this mean 18 academic hours or total hours? How many classes will fill this time? A good follow-up to this question is: How much time is there between classes? This will help in the future for you to decide how to prepare your classes.

2. Are office hours mandatory and, if so, how many? Just because you're teaching 18 hours a week does not mean you will be at the school for only 18 hours. Many schools want to monopolize your time so that you won't have time to tutor privately for extra cash. You should also inquire as to what your duties will be outside of the classroom.

3. Are there times when I will have to work on the weekend? The job may claim that you will only work Monday through Friday, but that doesn't mean they won't alter the schedule and have you work on a Saturday or Sunday from time to time. In China, it is standard practice to "make up" classes on weekends when the classes have been canceled due to national holidays.

4. Is housing provided or will you help me find an apartment prior to arrival? This is a complicated question. If the school provides housing, what amenities and furnishings are included? Is housing on campus, and, if so, what time must you return to campus each night? If they help you find an apartment, how much will it cost and where will it be located? Everyone should be very careful when it comes to housing in a foreign country.

5. Does the school offer language classes for teachers? Most schools should be willing to aid new staff through culture shock. The best way to overcome the shock of a foreign country is to learn the language. Schools should not expect foreign instructors to learn a new language on their own--it's important to have a structured class.

6. Will you provide me with the appropriate visa and cover all expenses involved in obtaining it? This changes depending on the country. No matter where you go, you will be required to have a legal visa. Some schools will try to have new teachers pay for the expenses--you should not. If the interviewer says, "Don't worry, everything will be fine," it's a sign that you should avoid the school. They should provide specific answers to important questions pertaining to visas.

7. What materials do you provide for classes? This sounds like another innocent question, but it can be one of the most important. You may not know the difference between textbooks, but you want to know that materials are available for use. If classroom materials are not available, you should ask about reimbursement for purchasing your own, assuming you don't plan to keep them at the end of your contract.

8. Do you offer any classroom training or seminars? This is not a deal breaker, but is a useful question. For more inexperienced EFL teachers, this can be important. Having some training prior to beginning your experience as a foreign-language instructor can be greatly beneficial to you and your students. This will also provide a general idea of the school's expectations of the foreign teachers.

9. How many teachers are currently at the school and how long have they been there? For some EFL teachers, the number of foreign teachers matters--some people prefer to have other English speakers around, while others would rather interact with locals. Having staff that has been at the school for a while can be helpful to new EFL teachers in getting acquainted with the new surroundings. If the staff changes every year, there's probably something wrong with the school's management.

10. Can you provide e-mail addresses of current and/or former teachers? If the interviewer says no, end the interview. There is no reason why they can't find a teacher willing to speak to a potential employee.