International TEFL InstituteRecruiting Quality TEFL Teachers
Besides difficulties in locating and identifying high-quality TEFL teachers, recruiting can prove challenging as well. TEFL Teachers may well possess the relevant qualifications required yet lack the TEFL classroom experience. When a school is faced with these challenges, it is necessary for School managers to have the skills to spot applicants’ potential. A School Manager should look for applicants who possess strong work ethics and communication skills. High turnover of teachers costs schools money in terms of recruiting and training and it also diminishes a school’s ability to carry out long-term planning, curriculum revision and reform. Job dissatisfaction is a major reason for ESL teachers leaving a School – low salaries and lack of School administration support being cited as contributing factors. Other reasons for TEFL teachers leaving include poor working conditions, weak financial incentives and growing job demands.
Schools that provide high levels of support for new and existing teachers, through mentoring or TEFL teacher-induction programmes, may, in fact, experience higher rates of teacher retention. Through such programmes, teachers may develop effective teaching strategies and stronger classroom management skills, often resulting in increased job satisfaction.
Recruitment: The Interview
It is definitely a good idea to have a structured approach to the interviewing process if you wish to recruit appropriate staff for your organisation. Here are three easy steps helpful in recruiting suitable staff:
Step 1: Preparation
It is always a good idea to refresh your memory by looking at the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) prior to the interview. Review the original job specifications as advertised. Now, decide what questions you would like to ask during the interview including the sequencing. Some other considerations may be to ensure that candidates for the same post are interviewed by the same person thus ensuring fairness.
Step 2: Structuring the Interview
It is important to make the applicant feel at ease and relaxed right from the start. This can be done by beginning with a friendly introduction of the interviewers and having the interview in a quiet location. Then, it may be a good idea to outline the interview process i.e. what you’ll talk about first and what you’ll be moving on to. After this, begin with the simple questions and with the applicant’s most recent employment. Try to discuss things in chronological order:
- The Past – their qualifications and previous employment
- The Present – their current employment situation and opinions relating to current ESL issues
- The Future – the short and long-term goals and further aspirations
Remember to take notes during the interview! Thank them for attending!
Step 3: Post Interview
This is when you write down your initial impressions and views of the applicant. You will be surprised how much you forget if you attempt to do this at a later date or after the entire interviewing process. Now, follow up on those requests for references. Example questions for the interview:
- How would you motivate a class of students?
- What do you think are your strengths/weaknesses as a teacher?
- What would you do in the first ten minutes of your first lesson with a new class?
- How do you decide whether a lesson has been successful or not?
- What course books or materials have you used in the past? Then probe by asking:
- What did you think of them?
- Did you supplement/adapt?
- Have you ever taught a class of different abilities?
- Have you ever been in a class of different abilities? How did the teacher deal with this? What did you think of that way of handling it?
- What levels have you taught? Which do you like/dislike? Why?
- Have you worked with people of a different culture? What did you think of this?
- How do you deal with deadlines?
- What aspects of your teaching would you prioritise for development?
Links:
TEFL Courses & TEFL Training Programmes
TEFL Jobs & English Teaching Positions
Accredited by: International TEFL Accreditation Council