TEFL Job Interview Questions

There are TEFL jobs available in countries all over the world. What separates you from that job is:

1.      Getting qualified

2.      Finding the right job

3.      Passing the job interview

A job interview for a TEFL position has a number of unique questions. The following list of questions should help you to prepare for your interview.

Things you will be asked about:

• Your teaching methods

• Student learning methods

• Your experience of teaching

• Your reasons for wanting to teach

• Your goals for your teaching career

Specific questions that you might be asked include:

Is fluency more important then accuracy?

What do you think about using L1 in the classroom?

What are your strengths/weaknesses as a teacher?

When should mistakes be corrected in the classroom?

How would your teaching differ if it was a (one-to-one lesson/class of mixed abilites/lesson for young learners etc.)?

What does teaching business English involve?

What do you know about this school and its methods?

What are your goals as a teacher?

Questions you may be asked if this is your first job and you are applying for a job in another country include:

How does your previous work experience relate to TEFL?

What were the key things you learned from your TEFL training?

Why are you applying for a job in (country name)?

Have you ever lived in another country?

How do you feel being away from your home when traveling? Have you ever experienced homesickness or culture shock?

What do you know about this country?

Do you speak any foreign languages?

What you might want to inquire about:

• Working schedule (are weekends required?)

• Overtime (is it paid, and at what rate?)

• Practical details of living abroad (accommodation assistance, medical insurance etc.

• School’s history, goals and current situation (if you can speak to a teacher currently working at the school then do so)

• Location of the school (Is it inner-city? If it’s rural, are there amenities or amusements nearby?)

Before your interview

You might want to have a look at these useful resources before your interview. First of all, there is a two-part introduction to TEFL job interviews on My TEFL Journey. ESL Base has also published an even more comprehensive list of potential questions. Global English, meanwhile, has some possible answers to the most common questions.