Tom's TEFL: Interview Skills Workshop

Designed for Hong Kong primary children.Designed for Hong Kong primary children.

Subject:Subject:P6 Interview P6 Interview

SkillsSkills

Things to Things to RememberRemember

ListenListen and and always always speak English.speak English.

‘ ‘I don’t know’ OR I don’t know’ OR ‘Sorry, I don’t ‘Sorry, I don’t understand’understand’

OROR ‘Please can you ‘Please can you repeat the repeat the question’question’

Dress smartly and sit up.Dress smartly and sit up.

Don’t be shy!Don’t be shy!

Be Be confidentconfident!!

I AM BRILLIANT! I AM A LION!

YOU are

lions!

Be polite.Be polite.Say ‘please’ and Say ‘please’ and

‘thank you’.‘thank you’.

Speak slowly and clearly…Speak slowly and clearly…And And don’t be scared!don’t be scared!

I’M SO I’M SO SCARED!SCARED!

I love you Valerie

I love me too

Use eye contactUse eye contact

Remember the Remember the question words!question words!

What?What? How How many?many?

Where?Where?Why?Why?

Which?Which? When?When? Who?Who?

Let’s give an example question for each word.

Relax and use Relax and use expressions, body expressions, body language and language and intonation to show intonation to show how you how you feelfeel..

past tense

present tense

future tense

What did you do for

your birthday

this year?

What are you

wearing?

What would you like to be when you are older?

Listen carefully for the tense. Should I answer in the past, present or future tense?

I have not been to any.

I have not been to any, but would like to visit Japan.

I have not been to any, but would like to visit

Japan because Tokyo would be very exciting!

Try to give 2-3 complete sentences Try to give 2-3 complete sentences for each question. Make your for each question. Make your answers longer. For example:answers longer. For example: What What

countricountries have es have

you you been been to?to?

Top 6 subjects to think about:

1.1. Yourself.Yourself.2.2. Why you want to go to this secondary Why you want to go to this secondary

school.school.3.3. Interests and hobbiesInterests and hobbies4.4. School and studies.School and studies.5.5. Family and friends.Family and friends.6.6. The future.The future.

Why not write down some paragraphs about these subjects? Make sure you have a lot to say about these important things!

The top 6 subjects…The top 6 subjects…

A wise word of advice A wise word of advice from Confucius…from Confucius…

““It is better to It is better to give four give four

sentences with a sentences with a few mistakes few mistakes

than one than one sentence with sentence with

perfect perfect grammar”grammar”Don’t worry too much about perfect grammar!Don’t worry too much about perfect grammar!

Role PlayRole Play

Your teachers will perform a role play of a good interview

and a bad interview!

What was good and bad about the interview?

How could they improve?

Important Important common common

questionsquestions

EveryoneEveryone will be asked will be asked this question. Can you this question. Can you think of some good think of some good answers?answers?

Why do you want to come to this

school?“My friends and my sister

come here and I know it is

a good school.”

“My mom and dad want me to come here.”“I don’t know.”

“I went to the website and

the Open Day and know it

is a great school.”

“I like the library and computer room and I hear the teachers are very kind.”

“It’s near my home”

It has a good reputation and I

would be an excellent student.

Can you think of some Can you think of some good answers?good answers?

Do you have any questions for

us?

“What kind of extra-

curricular activities are

there at this school?”

“When is home-time?” “No”

“Can I learn any

musical instruments

at your school?

“Do you have a Sports Day?”

Do we get lots

of homework?

Don’t ask any questions if they have already been answered! Don’t ask any questions if they have already been answered!

Elaboration - Elaboration - Make it Longer!Make it Longer!

What do you

do on

Sundays?

at/in/on…

Use the question words to make answers longer…

Where?Where? Why?Why?When?When?

at/on/

every…

because…

I play basketball in the park with my

friends every Sunday, because it keeps

me healthy!

Who?Who?

with…

Dim sum.

I like to eat dim sum, it is tasty.

My favourite food is dim sum, I like to eat it every Sunday with my family. I also like ice-

cream!

not good

better!

great!

Let’s make these answers longer…

What do you like to eat?

It is useful.

It is useful because we can speak to more people.

_______________________________________________________________________________.

not good

better!

great!


Why should we learn English?

Swimming.

_________________________________________.

_______________________________________________________________________________.


not good

better!

great!

What do you do at the

weekend?

No.

________________________.

_______________________________________________________________________________.

not good

better!

great!


Do you play any musical instruments?

Good/Bad Good/Bad AnswersAnswers

When is yourbirthday?

My birthday is on My birthday is on February 29February 29thth. This . This year I had a year I had a birthday party at a birthday party at a restaurant and last restaurant and last year I got a new year I got a new computer!computer!

February 29thFebruary 29th

Describe some of your likes and

dislikes.

I enjoy reading the I enjoy reading the newspaper and newspaper and playing with my playing with my friends in Ma On friends in Ma On Shan park. I don’t Shan park. I don’t like junk food as it like junk food as it is unhealthy!is unhealthy!

Newspapers and Newspapers and burgers.burgers.

What subjects are you good at?

Who can give a good and a bad answer to this question?

Do your parents help you with your homework?


What hobbiesdo you have?


Critical Critical Thinking Thinking

QuestionsQuestions

What would you do What would you do if you had if you had $1million?$1million?

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking – Let’s – Let’s brainstorm some brainstorm some

answers!answers!

What do you think What do you think makes a good makes a good

teacher?teacher?


answers!answers!

School finishes at noon School finishes at noon and you have 6 hours and you have 6 hours

free. How will you spend free. How will you spend this time?this time?


answers!answers!

What things do you think What things do you think best represent Hong best represent Hong

Kong?Kong?


answers!answers!

You can be a You can be a ssuperhero for uperhero for 1 week. What super 1 week. What super

powers would you choose powers would you choose and why?and why?


answers!answers!

You are Hong Kong’s You are Hong Kong’s leader, Donald Tsang! leader, Donald Tsang! How would you make How would you make Hong Kong better?Hong Kong better?


answers!answers!

• Go to page 10 & 11 Go to page 10 & 11 of your portfolio.of your portfolio.

• Get into groups of Get into groups of 4.4.

• Brainstorm your Brainstorm your ideas and make ideas and make notes.notes.

• Present your ideas.Present your ideas.• Makes notes Makes notes

during other group during other group presentations.presentations.

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking – Group – Group activity!activity!

Other Other QuestionsQuestions

•Who are they? Where are they from?

•What do they do? How? Why?

•How old are they? Why are they famous?

•What do they look like?

•Do you like them?

Describing a person…

Who can choose a person and give 4 sentences about them?

• What happens in the beginning, middle and end?

•Who is in the story?

•Where is the story set? At what time?

Telling a story from a picture…

About YourselfAbout Yourself- Introduce yourself- Introduce yourself What is your name? What is your name? Which school do you come from? Which school do you come from? Where is it? Where is it? Where do you live? Where do you live? What hobbies do you have? What hobbies do you have?- Describe some of your likes and dislikes.- Describe some of your likes and dislikes. What does your father / mother / brother do? What does your father / mother / brother do? Do you do any housework at home? Do you do any housework at home? Do you have any siblings / brothers or sisters? Do you have any siblings / brothers or sisters? What do you like to eat? What do you like to eat? When is your birthday? When is your birthday?- When do you get up / go to bed?- When do you get up / go to bed?- Would you be scared if you had to perform on the stage?- Would you be scared if you had to perform on the stage?- What do you want to be in the future?- What do you want to be in the future?- Have your read Pride and Prejudice / Harry Potter?- Have your read Pride and Prejudice / Harry Potter?- What is the book about?- What is the book about?- What sports do you like to play?- What sports do you like to play?- What other countries have you visited?- What other countries have you visited?- Which parks have you been to? What did you do there?- Which parks have you been to? What did you do there?

Look at the Look at the following following

questions…questions…

Let’s talk about Let’s talk about how we can how we can

answer some of answer some of them together…them together…

Example questions…

About School and StudyAbout School and Study• What is your favourite subject / Which subject do you like What is your favourite subject / Which subject do you like

best? Why? (e.g. Music)best? Why? (e.g. Music)• Do you know how to play the piano?Do you know how to play the piano?• What kind of music do you like?What kind of music do you like?• Why do you like music?Why do you like music?• Which song do you like best? Which song do you like best? • Who is your favourite teacher in school? / Tell me something Who is your favourite teacher in school? / Tell me something

about your teacher.about your teacher.• How do you get to school?How do you get to school?• Have you taken part in any competition / English activities? Have you taken part in any competition / English activities?

Have you got any prizes in the competition? (e.g. Speech Have you got any prizes in the competition? (e.g. Speech Festival / Penmanship Competition / Writing Competition / Festival / Penmanship Competition / Writing Competition / Basketball / Football Match…)Basketball / Football Match…)

• What do you do in your English / P.E. / music… lesson?What do you do in your English / P.E. / music… lesson?• Which subject are you good at?Which subject are you good at?• What kind of extra-curricular activities do you participate in / What kind of extra-curricular activities do you participate in /

take part in?take part in?

About Spare Time ActivitiesAbout Spare Time Activities• What do you like to do in the summer?What do you like to do in the summer?• Do you play any musical instruments?Do you play any musical instruments?• Tell me about your favourite activity.Tell me about your favourite activity.• Do you play computer games? MSN? How often do you play Do you play computer games? MSN? How often do you play

computer games?computer games?• Have you been to Ocean Park / Disneyland?Have you been to Ocean Park / Disneyland?• Do you have a computer at home? How often do you use it? Do you have a computer at home? How often do you use it?

What do you use it for? What do you use it for? • Which books do you like to read?Which books do you like to read?

Look at the Look at the following following

questions…questions…

Let’s talk about Let’s talk about how we can how we can

answer some of answer some of them together…them together…

Example questions

…

About FamilyAbout Family- Talk about your family.- Talk about your family.- What does your father / mother look like?- What does your father / mother look like?- What is your father / mother good at?- What is your father / mother good at?- Why does your mother like your father?- Why does your mother like your father?- What does your father / mother do in his / her free time?- What does your father / mother do in his / her free time?- Do your parents help you with your homework?- Do your parents help you with your homework?- What do you think about your father / mother?- What do you think about your father / mother?

About FriendsAbout Friends- Tell me about your friends.- Tell me about your friends.- Who is your best friend?- Who is your best friend?

About the Secondary School About the Secondary School - Why do you want to study in our school?- Why do you want to study in our school?- How did you come here? - How did you come here? - Who came here with you today?- Who came here with you today?- Why do you choose an EMI school? Is this your parents’ will or yours?- Why do you choose an EMI school? Is this your parents’ will or yours?- What do you know about our school?- What do you know about our school?

Look at the following Look at the following questions…questions…

Let’s talk about how Let’s talk about how we can answer some we can answer some of them together…of them together…


Other questionsOther questions- When did you last go abroad / travelling? Are there any scenic spots? Which country do you like?- When did you last go abroad / travelling? Are there any scenic spots? Which country do you like?- Why is it important to be polite?- Why is it important to be polite?- What would you do if you saw a little girl crying in the street / someone shoplifting in a - What would you do if you saw a little girl crying in the street / someone shoplifting in a

supermarket?supermarket?- Please read this passage. (Then ask questions about the passage / Student choose one topic from - Please read this passage. (Then ask questions about the passage / Student choose one topic from

the passage to develop)the passage to develop)- Picture description. (e.g. What day is it today? What is the weather like today? / Students are - Picture description. (e.g. What day is it today? What is the weather like today? / Students are

shown pictures of different places and are asked questions about the places.)shown pictures of different places and are asked questions about the places.)- Do you have any pets? Why do you keep a pet? Tell me about your pet.- Do you have any pets? Why do you keep a pet? Tell me about your pet.- What else do you want to tell me?- What else do you want to tell me?- Do you want to ask me any questions?- Do you want to ask me any questions?

- Listen to your group members talking. Then ask them some questions about what they say or read.- Listen to your group members talking. Then ask them some questions about what they say or read.- Discuss the passages (e.g. talk about how you will cope with some specific problems…)- Discuss the passages (e.g. talk about how you will cope with some specific problems…)- What do you do if you are absent from school? (Or other imaginative situations)- What do you do if you are absent from school? (Or other imaginative situations)- Do you watch any English TV programmes? Which channel / What kind of programmes do you - Do you watch any English TV programmes? Which channel / What kind of programmes do you

watch? watch? - What do you do on Sundays?- What do you do on Sundays?

Group interview questions

Show that you are interested in the school and process by thinking about some things you would Show that you are interested in the school and process by thinking about some things you would like to know about your new school. Be sure to visit the website of the school!like to know about your new school. Be sure to visit the website of the school!

Do you have any questions?


Pick me!Pick me!

•What are my achievements?

•What are my hobbies and interests?

•Have I taken part in any contests or competitions (Speech Festival, Sports day etc…)

•Have I won any contests or competitions?

•Do I have good attendance and punctuality?

•What is my strongest subject?

•How do I practice English?

•What do I do at weekends and in my spare time?

Why would your secondary school want you? Think about why you’re a

wonderful student!

Split into teams of 4 and go to page 6 of your Split into teams of 4 and go to page 6 of your portfolio. Ask your friends to help you portfolio. Ask your friends to help you complete the complete the mind mapmind map. What are your . What are your

strengthsstrengths??

You may write in Chinese You may write in Chinese andand English.English.

Picture Picture DescriptionDescription

• What do you see?• What is happening?• Why is it happening?• Have you been to this place?• Where and when was the picture taken?• What will happen next?• What happened before the picture was taken?• Describe the picture – who / what / where / how / why / what colours?

Describing a picture…

at the topat the top

on the on the left left in the middlein the middle on the on the rightright

at the bottomat the bottom

behindbehind In front ofIn front ofonon underunder in betweenin between

inin

next tonext to

Prepositions of place…

Time Bomb Time Bomb Question GameQuestion Game

1. Don’t throw the bomb!

2. Try to be quiet! Loud noises make the bomb….

3. Don’t speak Chinese! Otherwise, the bomb will….

Listen to the interview question. Pass the Listen to the interview question. Pass the bomb around the class until it explodes! If bomb around the class until it explodes! If

it explodes on you, you must answer! it explodes on you, you must answer! Remember…Remember…

Behind each number is an interview question. Behind each number is an interview question. Choose a team member to answer it and score points.Choose a team member to answer it and score points.

PPT by Simon Abbott.PPT by Simon Abbott.

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 example

1 point2 points

3 points4 points

Take 3 points

Good Luck!Good Luck!

• Watch English TV (ATV World, TVB Pearl) and listen to Watch English TV (ATV World, TVB Pearl) and listen to English radio (RTHK Radio 3).English radio (RTHK Radio 3).

• Read English books, magazines, websites and Read English books, magazines, websites and newspapers. newspapers.

• Practice your English with your family and friendsPractice your English with your family and friends

• Practice talking about yourself and your interests. Practice talking about yourself and your interests.

• Learn some good adjectives and revise your vocabulary Learn some good adjectives and revise your vocabulary by looking back at your work and textbooks.by looking back at your work and textbooks.

• Talk to your English teachers.Talk to your English teachers.

• Don’t panic or worry, if you are confident and think you Don’t panic or worry, if you are confident and think you will do well, you will do well!will do well, you will do well!

How to improve your English every day…

Mock Interview Evaluation…

Education

Tom's TEFL: Interview Skills Workshop