TEFL Demonstration Lessons

How to Succeed with an EFL Demonstration Lesson

In some countries it is common for a potential employers to ask you to present a “Demonstration Lesson” as part of the interview process, when they are considering you for a teaching position.

This is a common practice at some schools and while an uncomfortable proposition, often with “fake’ students, this is not something to be feared. In fact, it is a chance to show off what you know.

Know that schools are rarely looking for a perfect teacher as much as they are looking for someone who is friendly, outgoing, smiles, and is able to structure a decent lesson and keep the students on task.

When you have a demonstration lesson requested, it is important to ask the following:
for whom the lesson is intended,
their skill level,
the intended target language or topic,
and the length of the time of the lesson.

Often you will be allowed, within reasonable boundaries, to determine most of these things.

Once you know who, what, and how long you are to teach, design a simple lesson plan for that lesson. Be sure to take two copies of it (with any handouts attached) to the demonstration lesson. One for you, one for the interviewers or evaluators who will be observing your lesson.

Follow your lesson plan carefully, make sure your boardwork looks sharp, and be sure to minimize teacher talk time. In some countries realize that the number one hiring criteria other than just being able to teach, is friendliness and the ability to get along with others.

Fail those two categories and you not land a job in much of the world, so be sure to demonstrate those skills as well as your expected classroom skills.

Put on a big smile, dress appropriately and, most likely, the job will be yours. You may teach the full lesson, but many times the interviewers will see that you know what you are doing and will tell you to stop within ten or fifteen minutes.

TED’s Tips™ #1: Practice your lesson repeatedly before going to the demonstration lesson and have a skilled teacher watch you and give you feedback.

TED’s Tips™ #2: Take a teacher training course in the country in which you intend to work, that is a great time to develop your “demo” lesson and get the input of your teacher trainer and fellow teacher-trainees.

Be confident and smile a lot and you should do just fine.

1 Comment

• 

  By Jenine, August 28, 2009 @ 10:03 pm

  Very true. My demo lesson went about 20 minutes and they stopped it. They decided it was just fine and I got the job.

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