What is an interview?

An interview is a class where a student meets the teacher for the first time. It usually lasts a minimum of 20 minutes, a maximum of 30 minutes.

Students get only one interview. After the interview, parents decide whether or not the student should take classes with the teacher. In general, they choose the teacher from the interview. However, occasionally they might choose a different teacher, who they did not interview with. 

The interviews are recorded and Kevin sends a link to the parents and the teacher, so they can watch it on our YouTube channel (live or later). You must have the link to view the video, so strangers cannot watch it.    

The Interview is not paid for teachers.

What is important for the interviews?

The most important thing in the interview is that the teacher and the student get to know each other. The teacher and the student ask some personal questions to each other.  

Choosing the right textbooks for the class.

http://ebooks.aloud.kr

*A textbook, in this case, refers to not only the actual textbooks that people can buy, but also websites, online magazines, youtube channels, etc. that you might decide to use with students to study English.

The student's book that they will use during their classes is often decided during or after the interview. The book is chosen between the teacher, parents, and Kevin. The teacher should try to figure out the student's reading level during the interview so that they can help decide which level of book will be appropriate. It shouldn't be too easy, but it can be even worse if the level is too advanced for the student.

The parents might have an idea of which book they want to use. The teacher should make a few suggestions based on the interview and the student's level. If the teacher is brand new to our school, they don't have to make that decision, and Kevin can choose a book with the parents.

Speaking expectation to the student for the class:

Another important part of the interview is explaining speaking expectations to the student. Kevin will tell the parents in Korean, but hopefully the teacher also can do this in English with the student during the interview. For example, the teacher might explain to the student which questions they should be prepared to answer at the beginning of class.

1. The first question: How are you?

Students should be prepared to answer this question in English, stating how they feel and why. For example: I'm happy because I got a good grade on an English test today at school.

You can also add an additional question like, "What did you do today/this week/over the weekend?" Then the student should be prepared to share something that they did or that happened to them.

2. The review questions for example: Do you remember what we did in the last class? Tell me anything you can remember. 

The student can prepare for this question by thinking about all the things they did and talked about in the last class as well as by going over the bookwork and/or readings they did. By preparing for the question they not only are reviewing the materials from their last class but can also be ready to respond in full sentence answers when you ask them this question at the beginning of class.

Why are the interviews so important?

The interviews are something like a try-out. After the interview, the student and the parents will decide whether or not the student takes classes with that teacher. Remember you are just one of the teachers the parents have set up an interview with, in order to find the right online school. If you create a good relationship with the student, they will want to take classes with you right away. Then they won't take any more interviews at other online schools.     

Tips for the interviews

1. Play games to get to know each other. For example, "Two Truths and One Lie," "True or False."

2.  Choosing the right book for the student is another chance to get to know each other. You can take turns reading a text and then talk about it. The best example is reading every other sentence with the student. It sounds almost like a fluent conversation flowing back and forth, which parents really enjoy hearing.  

3. The interview is considered as a sample lesson. Teachers should be active in the class activities along with the student.  

3. Do not do the activities in the textbook during an interview unless you are very familiar with that particular textbook. Instead, ask them your own questions about the text. Parents appreciate this teaching style because it is unique and specialized for the student. Also, it is more like an actual conversation in English. If you follow strictly from the book, they might feel that the student could do the same on their own.    

4. Before the interview, the teacher should check their Skype video settings to make sure their full head and shoulders appear on camera. It is important that their whole face is completely visible.  

The student's book that they will use during their classes is often decided during or after the interview. The book is chosen between the parents, teacher and Kevin. The teacher should try to figure out the student's reading level during the interview so that they can help decide which level of book will be appropriate. It shouldn't be too easy, but it can be even worse if the level is too advanced for the student. The parents might have an idea of which book they want to use, but if not the teacher should make a few suggestions based on the interview and the student's level. If the teacher is brand new to our school, they don't have to make that decision, and Kevin can choose a book with the parents.