Job Interviews held in English (B2 level)

Recently I have finished my Delta Mod III paper and with it an article for Novice teachers: “Motivating Adult Students” that have been posted in two of my favourite blogs:

http://blogdisal.com.br/site/motivating-adult-students-beatriz-solino/

http://www.richmondshare.com.br/motivating-adult-students/

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This lesson is about:

• having job interviews held in English;
• preparing your students for it;
• having fun while doing it.

It was a pocket lesson (90′) and it was a hit.

[Slide 1: topic of the lesson + presentation image]

Topic:  Job interviews held in English 

[Slide 2: introduction question + background image]

1. Introducing the topic of the lesson 

Timing: 7′

Interaction: S-S (pairs)

Feedback: on vocabulary and pronunciation

• If you could choose, what would be the best job for you?

[Slide 3: setting the scene questions + background image above]

1. Setting the scene 

Timing: 10′

Interaction: S-S (pairs)

Feedback: on vocabulary/pronunciation and turn-taking

• When was the last time you had a job interview?
• How was it? (what was the language used, was it in person/via skype, etc)?
• Do you tend to get too nervous when in an interview?

[Slide 4: working with a video + background image above]

Students might get emotional if watching this video for the first time (as well as teachers) so I suggest you to watch it more than once before using it in the lesson.

1. Working with a video – step 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB3xM93rXbY

Timing: 15′

Interaction: S-S (pairs)

Feedback: on vocabulary/pronunciation and turn-taking

Ss watch the video once and answer the following questions:

1. What are the responsibilities and requirements needed?
2. Has any of the applicants agreed to the requirements? Would you?
3. What’s the job position the people in the video are applying for? (and this is the biggest surprise!)

[Slide 5: working with a video – step 2 + background image above]

Timing: 10′

Interaction: S-S (pairs)

Feedback: on vocabulary/pronunciation and turn-taking

Ss watch the video again and answer the discuss the following questions:

1. Do you have to wear several hats where you work? 
2. What are the interpersonal skills you think your current position asks you to have?

[Slide 6: working with another video – step 3 + background image below]

link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewek-6TudOM

Timing: 10′

Interaction: S-S (pairs)

Feedback: on vocabulary/pronunciation and turn-taking

• Watch this interview. What’s the question asked?
• How would you answer that?

Here, ss can discuss how the interviews are being held these days, what questions are being asked, etc.

[Slide 7: Job interview questions + background image above – company logos]

Timing: 10′

Interaction: S-S (pairs)

Feedback: on vocabulary/pronunciation and turn-taking

• Make a list of questions that might be asked in a job interview (here students can make a list of 10 questions and use this link: http://theinterviewguys.com/top-10-job-interview-questions/          http://www.ceswoodstock.org/job_search/intervuquest.shtml )

[Slide 8: Job interview questions and how to answer them + background image above – company logos]

Timing: 20′

Interaction: S-S (pairs)

Feedback: on vocabulary/pronunciation and turn-taking

How to work with this step: choo-choo train, pairs then clapping to change pairs, mingling, role-playing.

Some of the questions might be:

1. Tell us more about you
2. Why should we hire you
3. What is your greatest strength?
4. What is your greatest weakness?
5. Why do you want to work for us?
6. Why did you leave your last job?
7. What is your greatest accomplishment?
8. Describe a difficult work situation and what you did to overcome it?
9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
10. Do you have any questions for me?

[Slide 9: topic of the lesson + presentation image – first image]

Topic:  Job interviews held in English 

Timing: 5′

Interaction: S-S (pairs)

Go back to the topic of the lesson and the first image and ask ss if they feel more prepared to face a job interview now.

Discuss further vocabulary.

Thanks! 😉