This is a list of questions I have often heard asked at job interviews. When applying for a university position, it is a good idea to mentally prepare for such questions.
Education and Employment Background
Teaching
Education in Japan
Personal / General
Other
Education and Employment Background
- Please explain/describe your educational background.
- Did you write a thesis for your MA?
- What subjects did you study for your MA?
- Please describe your employment history.
- What were you doing between October 2005 and January 2006?
Teaching
- What classes do you teach now?
- Do you have a favourite class to teach?
- How do you teach writing to basic-level students?
- How do you manage a large speaking class?
- How do you motivate students (especially unmotivated students)?
- Describe some activities you find successful.
- What are some specific methodologies you use?
- What is your theory of SLA?
Education in Japan
- If you could change the Japanese education system, what would you change?
- Do you like teaching grammar?
- How do you deal with students who constantly chat in Japanese or use mobile phones.
Personal / General
- What are your weaknesses?
- What are your strengths?
Other
- How will you contribute to the language centre?
- What specific skills can you bring?
- How do you feel about doing committee work outside regular hours?