Nervous for an upcoming interview lesson for your dream job? Read below for some tips and tricks on different ways to showcase your teaching skills in an interview lesson. We hope these help!
Research
Learn about the school, its culture, teaching approach, catchment area, and the staff members. Make sure you look at their website! Make sure you also look at the school’s recent OFSTED report, and if there are any areas they need to improve on, such as improving on pupils’ reading skills. If this is an area you are skilled in, make sure you show this to the observer.
This will help you plan your lessons to suit the needs of the class you will be teaching.
Understand what you’re being assessed on
Understanding what you’re being assessed on will help you show your strengths when it comes to the interview lesson. Observers often assess your interaction with students, your knowledge of the subject you are teaching, your classroom management, your creativity, and your adaptability to arising situations.
Lesson Plans
Make sure you create a lesson plan that’s appropriate for the class and subject. Don’t go too over the top, as things can go wrong on the day, and the observer wants to see one of your typical lessons.
Always have a backup
Prepare backup lessons and solutions in case something goes wrong, or is not as expected on the day. For example, bring your own stationary in case you are missing something you need. If using electronics for the lessons, make sure you have paper backups in case the internet is down or you run out of battery.
Build relationships
How will you get to know the class and build that initial relationship? The better the relationship, the smoother the lesson. Introduce yourself to the class. Show you are happy to be there, and affirm your classroom expectations.
Focus on learning, not correcting
Make sure your lesson is helping students develop their knowledge, as well as the skills to develop this knowledge. Having the resilience to keep trying until they get it right shows they have those skills.
Show your mastery of the basics
Make sure you have prepared back-up activities to fall back on if required. This shows you can adapt to changing situations in the classroom. Make sure your planning is clear for all abilities, challenging but supportive if required. Incorporating a way to show progress made by pupils is a great way to show that you are benefiting the classes’ learning. However, make sure you don’t over-exert yourself. Be yourself and teach how you usually would, whilst showcasing your skills.
