Job interview at a thai govt uni. What sort of questions will they ask?

[advancebooking]

As the title suggests, I have a job interview at a thai govt' uni and thus I seek your opinion as to what questions they might ask me.

I'm obviously ready to talk about the most interesting subject known to mankind- me. But after this introduction, what sort of questions could they ask me. If they ask about what teaching techniques I would use, how should I answer this?

Any useful info is much appreciated

[lostinisaan]

Just be who you are.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Fookhaht]

My experience. Only one question: "When can you start?"

To be fair, they had already done their "homework" on me, even to the point of sending someone "under cover" to my previous college to interview my colleagues and supervisor.

Previous good advice: Be yourself (as they already may know more about you than you realize!).

[onlycw]

Your goals, your values. Highlights and lows of your career and life so far?

where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Specific teaching questions about difficult situations like students being bored and playing with their mobile phones...

(Haven't had such an interview, would like to get one though)

[Fookhaht]

I have been both in the recruiter's chair and the interviewee's chair.

In light of that experience, I have always maintained that the best teaching job interview includes a teaching demonstration in front of a class of real live pupils.

Some people can always give the right answers, many others in Thailand provide fake documents, but some things you just cannot fake.

If a school asks you to do a teaching demo, even better yet--springs the request on you without notice--be impressed with that school.

[Scott]

I usually require a teaching demo, but I don't spring it on people and I don't do it in front of real students (generally). I usually allow them to chose the subject and level they are going to demonstrate -- unless it is a demo for a specific subject, such as physics, chemistry, advanced mathematics, etc..

I am impressed when someone comes in with a prepared lesson plan and perhaps a work sheet. I also like to see visual aids, especially if it is younger children. It's hard to do that on the spur of the moment.

With demonstrations in front of real students, it's hard for the teacher to know the actual level of the students and I have found that the Thai admin, who often view the demos, seem to think a teacher is bad simply because they don't know the level of the students in our school, which may be very different from the students at his/her previous school.

But, either way, a good teacher should be able to get up in front of a class and demonstrate some ability to figure out the students and the level and get into the swing of things quickly.

[sirchai]

I usually require a teaching demo, but I don't spring it on people and I don't do it in front of real students (generally). I usually allow them to chose the subject and level they are going to demonstrate -- unless it is a demo for a specific subject, such as physics, chemistry, advanced mathematics, etc..

I am impressed when someone comes in with a prepared lesson plan and perhaps a work sheet. I also like to see visual aids, especially if it is younger children. It's hard to do that on the spur of the moment.

With demonstrations in front of real students, it's hard for the teacher to know the actual level of the students and I have found that the Thai admin, who often view the demos, seem to think a teacher is bad simply because they don't know the level of the students in our school, which may be very different from the students at his/her previous school.

But, either way, a good teacher should be able to get up in front of a class and demonstrate some ability to figure out the students and the level and get into the swing of things quickly.

Maybe that's why it's called "teacher"? Because you're teaching people to learn a second/ third language.

Applicants at my school also have to do a 15 to 20 minutes demo lesson. I already know after three minutes, if the person can do the job, or not,

I'd assume the OP wanted to know what questions they'll ask. One question will pop up: " Why would you like to teach here"?

Where did you teach before? Why did you stop teaching there? May I see your original degree? Are you married? Do you like Thailand? Etc..

\

[Scott]

I always ask "Why did you come to Thailand?"

The answer, with shifting eyes and nervous twitches, is usually something along the lines of "Oh, I really love to visit the temples."

[Fookhaht]

I usually require a teaching demo, but I don't spring it on people and I don't do it in front of real students (generally). I usually allow them to chose the subject and level they are going to demonstrate -- unless it is a demo for a specific subject, such as physics, chemistry, advanced mathematics, etc..

I am impressed when someone comes in with a prepared lesson plan and perhaps a work sheet. I also like to see visual aids, especially if it is younger children. It's hard to do that on the spur of the moment.

With demonstrations in front of real students, it's hard for the teacher to know the actual level of the students and I have found that the Thai admin, who often view the demos, seem to think a teacher is bad simply because they don't know the level of the students in our school, which may be very different from the students at his/her previous school.

But, either way, a good teacher should be able to get up in front of a class and demonstrate some ability to figure out the students and the level and get into the swing of things quickly.

I have never required an impromptu demo as well.

However, when it was required of me in two schools, the experience unquestionably tested my...

spontaneity,

resourcefulness,

willingness to rise to unexpected challenges,

and

ability to discern situations quickly (echoing the above poster's last paragraph)

--all traits I highly value in teacher-applicants.

(Which keeps me toying with the idea--especially for those who claim considerable experience.)

Incidentally, the two experiences also taught me to keep a couple types of impromptu "demos" under my belt, which could be helpful advice to the OP. One "demo in my hat" includes a lesson on geography, suitable to most ESL situations. Many classrooms have maps which can be commandeered for the occasion. If not, a whiteboard with marker will do just fine. The content can be easily and quickly scaled up or down according to student ability. Start with the students' locale and move from there, or the opposite direction. With countries, capitals, landmarks, natural features, student input on places they've visited or studied about--the quantity of content can be just as vast, limited, simple or complex, as required by the situation.

Edited April 24, 2014 by Fookhaht

[duanebigsby]

I'm teaching grade 12, so not 100% qualified to reply, but I have been told that first and 2nd year uni is the same in terms of copying, cheating, and complete non interest in the classes.

In my interview I was asked how I would engage the disinterested, the rowdy, the gossipers on cell phones etc.

I would be prepared for that one.

[ggt]

Are you now...or have you ever fantasized about becoming underpaid and over worked...?

[Fullstop]

Didn't like the replies on Ajarn huh?

[new2here]

My experience was like Scott mentioned.. I was told, in advance, that I would have to do a live demo in fromt of a group. I was able to choose from a half-dozen topics that were relevant ot my subject area. The demo was supposed to cover a minimum of :10 to no more than :20 in time and should have both a beginning/introduction and conclusion. In otherwords, like a real, full length class lesson.

I was also asked to bring a copy of my lesson plan that I would use to teach my demo from as well as any materials I planned to use. If I was going to use an projector or powerpoint or other equipment, I needed to tell them in advance and they'd arrange for it to be in the room on the day of demo.

My "students" consisted of about half real universtiy students who were in upper levels and had volunteered and the other half were departmental staff or nstructors.

I was graded on a pretty fair scale.. The were two parts: demo and materials (the lesson plan and anything I used in class). demo was 75 points, materials 25 points. On the demo side, points were given for things like voice clarity and the materals score was based on how well did you use whatever you brought and did those materials "fit" the lesson or were they a distraction.

After the demo, I was asked to return to the Dean's office and my score would be given to me shortly thereafter, with feedback.

[a99az]

I guess this must be your first uni interview, don't worry if they have someone for an interview who is a friend you will dip out. It's not about how good you are but who you know, unless you are the only applicant, then they will just ask you to sign the contract and chat after as happened to me once. I once found two retired English female teachers to teach English at a school I worked at, with a lifetime of experience. Who got the job? A heavily accented young French man with a TEFL certificate with a few months experience. It was very funny listening to his students talking.

Have fun!

[KarlosInBKK]

I had an interview with a government uni a few weeks ago. The salary was 20k pm plus 8000 accommodation. They asked me if I could live on this kind of salary and what my general living expenses are. I got the impression that this is a typical salary kind of salary for government uni's so be prepared for these types of questions. Also asked me how I would teach classes of 50-70 students, how long I planned to stay in Thailand and why I chose to live here. Don't forget to prepare some questions to ask them. Good luck with the interview. I hope the salary on offer is better than the one I interviewed for.

[sirchai]

Dear Op,

Many years ago, I was handed over a questionnaire which teaching methods I'd prefer and why/why not. Honestly, I had to Google some of these techniques at this time to be able to answer the questions.

Please see attached file and sleep over it. Cheers.-

Teaching Methods.doc

[culicine]

My experience. Only one question: "When can you start?"

To be fair, they had already done their "homework" on me, even to the point of sending someone "under cover" to my previous college to interview my colleagues and supervisor.

Previous good advice: Be yourself (as they already may know more about you than you realize!).

My interviewer's fist statement - "we don't like teachers who break contracts...lol been here since Oct 2001". Im not much of a mover and shaker Then 'when can you start' was the first question....I told her to wait a month; she was ok with that.

[duanebigsby]

Are you now...or have you ever fantasized about becoming underpaid and over worked...?

Pay is relative to cost of living.

I know many TV posters who say one cannot live on less than "x" amount per month but that's an opinion.

I came from Vancouver, one of the most expensive cities in the world to live. Average house price $1,000,000.

I took home just under $4,ooo a month and was hard pressed to bank $500.

Here I make $1,000 a month and can put $400 of it away.

[Greg Nixon]

They have a checklist

1. Is he white ?

2. Does he speak good English ( Is he from an English speaking country ? )

3. Does he dress appropriately for the interview ?

4 Does he have any gross habits like picking his nose or noisy flatulence ?

5. Does he seem to have good intelligence ( he is not retarded ) ?

6. Is he male ?

7. Does he say, " Sawadee Krap " and " Kob kun krap " .

8. Is this someone could invite to my home ?

9. Is this someone I could drink with ?

In China I knew someone who had all of these attributes who worked at a good number of schools from University to kindergarten in the period of a year ( simultaneously) I used to play pool with him regularly.

One problem ; he had no certifications or experience and I will quote him. " In China i can forge any documents i want."

No one ever checked up on him. Before becoming a teacher/professor he was a marine diver. he was really in China as a muffin diver looking for pearls. He found lots of those.

[Greg Nixon]

I had an interview with a government uni a few weeks ago. The salary was 20k pm plus 8000 accommodation. They asked me if I could live on this kind of salary and what my general living expenses are. I got the impression that this is a typical salary kind of salary for government uni's so be prepared for these types of questions. Also asked me how I would teach classes of 50-70 students, how long I planned to stay in Thailand and why I chose to live here. Don't forget to prepare some questions to ask them. Good luck with the interview. I hope the salary on offer is better than the one I interviewed for.

Even in Western countries University lecturers are often paid less than Elementary school teachers unless they have tenure. That is very scarce. It is quite likely that most of your university lecturers were not full professors. In Thailand Foreign elementary school teachers receive 30,000 THB/month. Not good but liveable if you are single and careful with your money.

[Scott]

Off-topic posts and replies have been deleted. This is the teaching forum. It is for and about teaching. Unsolicited and off-topic comments will be deleted.

[A1Str8]

If it's Chula then the first question will be..do you know who Hitler was? Because our students don't. So it would be nice if at least our teachers wouldn't ridicule us.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[sirchai]

"Would you like to teach our female classes?"

Edited April 25, 2014 by sirchai

[JimHuaHin]

I have been both in the recruiter's chair and the interviewee's chair.

In light of that experience, I have always maintained that the best teaching job interview includes a teaching demonstration in front of a class of real live pupils.

Some people can always give the right answers, many others in Thailand provide fake documents, but some things you just cannot fake.

If a school asks you to do a teaching demo, even better yet--springs the request on you without notice--be impressed with that school.

May I add also, I do know of a couple instances when academic candidates (for non-English language teaching positions) were asked to give a short research seminar (about their recent, current or proposed research activities), as their position involved not only teaching, but also the expectation was that the successful candidate would be an active research scholar and bring research monies into the university.

[isawasnake]

"you like thai food"

"you have thai wife"

the rest will be inconsequential for them, that is really what you are dealing with. know it, and use it.

[sirchai]

They have a checklist

1. Is he white ?

2. Does he speak good English ( Is he from an English speaking country ? )

3. Does he dress appropriately for the interview ?

4 Does he have any gross habits like picking his nose or noisy flatulence ?

5. Does he seem to have good intelligence ( he is not retarded ) ?

6. Is he male ?

7. Does he say, " Sawadee Krap " and " Kob kun krap " .

8. Is this someone could invite to my home ?

9. Is this someone I could drink with ?

In China I knew someone who had all of these attributes who worked at a good number of schools from University to kindergarten in the period of a year ( simultaneously) I used to play pool with him regularly.

One problem ; he had no certifications or experience and I will quote him. " In China i can forge any documents i want."

No one ever checked up on him. Before becoming a teacher/professor he was a marine diver. he was really in China as a muffin diver looking for pearls. He found lots of those.

They don't have such a check list.

1. Is he white ? No, I use skin whitener.

2. Does he speak good English ( Is he from an English speaking country ? ) Yes, from the PI's,, but born in Cameroon.

3. Does he dress appropriately for the interview ? Only on this day, borrowed from a friend.

4 Does he have any gross habits like picking his nose or noisy flatulence ? Picking nose is acceptable in Thai culture. But covering your mouth, when using a toothpick is a must.

5. Does he seem to have good intelligence ( he is not retarded ) ? No, and I will never be as smart as they are.

6. Is he male ? Easy to find out, if the interviewer is good looking.

7. Does he say, " Sawadee Krap " and " Kob kun krap " .When first meeting, I use the first two words. Once I got the job, I'd use the second three words.

8. Is this someone could invite to my home ? Yes, because I'm so handsome.

9. Is this someone I could drink with ? Nope, I quit drinking, as it makes people stupid.

10. Can he/she eat spicy food? Yes, but only on Ramadan.

[newatthis]

"you like thai food"

"you have thai wife"

the rest will be inconsequential for them, that is really what you are dealing with. know it, and use it.

And one other question was asked. "What do you think of our King?"