Advice for an interview

[Elizabeth Adamson]

Hi, this is my first post so hello!

I have my first interview soon for my NQT post. I can teach anything I want so have decided to do a French lesson. I will be teaching a Year 4 class. Would it matter if I ended up teaching them something that they have already been taught? Obviously I do not know what they have already been taught, if they follow a scheme...etc. Do you think I should phone and ask the school or will it be OK as long as I ensure that I use the KS2 Framework objectives for Yr4?

[Lorraine]

Salut Elizabeth,
Don't think it will matter if you teach something they will have already met- it's just revision. I usually put teach/revise . . . . in my lesson plans, covering my bases. If you're teaching Year 4 they will have, either been following Year 3 (if they've only just started French this year), or the Year 4 objectives. These can be downloaded or you might even have copies.

It would be useful and also show initiative to phone up and ask about recent work. I sometimes log on to the school website for clues. I'm hoping for an interview for one of my applications and I'm thinking of a project planned specifically as a revision summary of work covered throughout, as it's right at the end of the year.

As Jo pointed out somewhere els eon this site, they will probably be more concerned with how you relate to the children, provided you demonstrate your confidence and knowledge of the subject.

Bonn Chance Lorraine

[Jo Rhys-Jones]

I think it's a great idea - but agree with Lorraine that it is well worht phoning the school and asking if they have done French before so you know if they are working from Year 3 or 4 objectives.

(The only reason they are called Year 3, year 4 etc is to keep the framework in line with the others for literacy and numeracy. As language is cumulative, even a year 6 class can not simply leap straight in with year 6 objectives if they have not covered 3, 4 and then 5 objectives first).

You could always try one of the QCA units - 7-12 are aimed at year 4 and you can differentiate down easily if needed. It would also show initaitive if you ask the school if there is a particular topic or whole school theme they have been looking at that might be complimented in some way.

How you teach is always going to be more impressive than what you teach. They will look for evidence of differentiation, class control, if you can spot opportunities for assessment and are aware of how to direct any additional adults - neither would be expected during the lesson itself but you would be expected to mention them in the interview along with 'with hindsight I would have...' and 'if I had more time I would like to..' statements.
Good luck! Do let us know how you get on please.
Jo x

[Jo Rhys-Jones]

Just though of two more tips:

Firstly from my old Headteacher and good friend who suggests that you should always aim for the children to complete something to take away with them during the observed lesson as it helps everyone remember you with physical evidence!

And secondly my own tip from when I observe lessons - I never observe the teacher, I always watch the children. If all of them are happy and understand what to do, how to do it, why and how to do it even better next time then I know the teaching is good.

[Elizabeth Adamson]

Hi Jo,

I was wondering if it would be a good idea to teach a lesson in a language other than French? This way they would more than definately be learning something which they haven't done before?

Liz xx

[Barbara]

Hi Liz

If you have the option of teaching any language you like and you feel confident enough in your second language then I would be inclined to go for the 'other' language. That way you are completely free to choose a topic of your choice with little chance of any of the kids having done it already. This should reflect positively on you in two ways: firstly, when they employ you, they will get expertise in 2 languages, and so can diversify, and secondly, when you do your plenary at the end and the kids show you what they have learned there will be no doubt that this was achieved thanks to you since they had had no previous exposure to that language. If on the other hand you are less at ease in your second language, then stick with what you know best.

Good luck, whichever route you take.

Barbara

[Elizabeth Adamson]

Thank-you for all your advice. I phoned the school today and they definately do French but the Head was not sure what topics or themes the class were doing because it will be the start of the new term. They go back on Tuesday and the interview is on Wednesday. I will let you know how it goes, thanks again!!

Liz xxx

[Lorraine]

Hi Elizabeth,
was wondering how you got on with your interview? Presume as you're not shouting 'Yippee' you weren't so successful. In which case don't take it too much to heart. Sometimes there are other factors- make-up of staff already there- some factor they're looking for which they don't specify i.e someone able to contribute to another subject.

If it's any consolation I have only managed to get 4 interviews over the last 3-4 years (the previous years I didn't even get an interview) and in each case I was beaten by someone younger and cheaper. Keep persevering and believing in yourself- which i know is hard to do when you've just suffered a disappointment!

Bonne Chance! Lorraine

[Elizabeth Adamson]

Hi Lorraine,

Ha, ha, ha, no I'm not shouting 'Yipee!' No I didn't get the job. I went with German in the end which turned out to be a good idea as the children loved it and learned something new. So thank-you to you, Barbara and Jo for helping me make a decission and thank-you for asking how I got on and for your positive advice!

I got really good positive and constructive feedback from the Head. I just need to give more specific examples in response to the interview questions. Amazingly my best answer was to a question on something that I had never heard off!! I was a bit upset when I didn't get the job but the experience and the Head's feedback is something that I can take with me to help me prepare for future interviews.

Hopefully it will not be too long! I'll let you know when I am shouting Yipee!

Liz xxx

[Elizabeth Adamson]

Yipee!!!

Just thought I'd let everybody know that I have got my first job!! I'm really excited and can't wait to meet my class! xxxx

[Lorraine]

Congats Elizabeth, trust you'll be able to use your languages and update us regularly.
Lorraine

[Elizabeth Adamson]

Hello! I was told that part of my training would include shadowing a subject co-ordinator and asked which subject I would choose. I put myself forward for mfl because I love it although now I'm starting to think my language skills are not quite as strong as my enthusiasm for it! I will keep everyone updated xxx