TOTSI Application and Interview Tips By Peter A. BohanELTT ZugdidiAll images/materials to be used for educational purposes only

What are they looking for?

Who are you? Why are you qualified and unique?

Why should they choose you as a candidate?

Leadership Qualities

Experienced, motivated, confident, professional

Active – projects in school and community

Proven or Potential trainer of other teachers

Plan of Action – how will you help others? How specific is your plan of action?

These points should be clearly set forth

Skills/Knowledge for Success

Key Concept specific examples needed

Creativity – new idea/project started at school?

Flexibility/Adaptability – challenge you overcame?

Teamwork/Collaboration – admin/ teachers

Technology Skills – examples in lesson plans

Awareness of Student Needs – maintain student interest and motivation how?

Professional Development examples

Connections – region, cross-regional, gov’t, NGO

Teaching Approach “Buzzwords”

Learner-Centered, communicative, interactive

Awareness of student needs, interests, student choice in the learning process

Consideration for learning styles, mixed levels

Lesson planning – consideration for curriculum objectives

Sequencing and scaffolding tasks towards objective

Application of pedagogical principles in lesson plans – approach to reading/writing and assessment.

Flexibility and adaptability and classroom management

Paragraph Organization and Examples in support

In my approach to teaching, I believe the learning environment should be…For example…

When I create my lesson plans, some of the important points that I consider are...As an example of this..

In choosing tasks that I utilize in lesson plans, I consider it important to have…For example,

Effective classroom management in my view depends on several factors. First,..second, ..

Training/Mentoring Experience

School – training workshops, assisting teachers with ideas/lesson plans, organizing events, working with administration

Community – training (ETAG, AmCor, NGOs), village/regional workshops, any event where you had some participation

Volunteer – charity/events where you participated

(give specific examples for each of above)

Specifics to Include

1. Expected audience (teachers at your school, your district /region, and selected topic:2. Why did you choose this topic? Why do you think it is relevant for your audience?3. What are your objectives? “By the end of the session the teachers will be able to …”4. How do you plan to achieve your objectives? Please outline the main stages and timing. Write a few sentences describing what you propose to do and why?5. What resources do you plan to use/give out?6. How will you measure the success of your session?7. Expected challenges/difficulties – briefly describe these and explain how you will deal with them.

Professional Goals

Key conceptwhat/why skills needed?

Connect it to your learners’ needs/interests

Connect it to your school’s needs

Connect it to sharing with other teachers

Connect it to benefitting the community

Proof/Evidence that you will share

Specific examples problem-solution

Sharing Knowledge

Whom will you share with?

(mentees/colleagues – how many?)

How will you share the knowledge?

(seminars or informally?)

Where will you share the knowledge?

(school, Am.Corner/ETAG/NGO, regionally?)

Organization, Detail, Tone

Focused Paragraphseach paragraph should be focused and developed by specific examples

Logical Flow Connector words are used to transition at paragraph and sentence level

ToneSincerity, Motivation, and Humility are more important than fancy language

Things to avoidLack of specific detail and examples

Overly sophisticated vocabulary

Saying what they “want to hear”

cliché expressions/boastful tone

TASKS

Brainstorm –teaching approach, action plan

Evaluate examples

Action plan/Lesson Plan

Action plan/Training plan is different from your lesson plan

Lesson plan could include:One that was successful, fun

One that included learner centered tasks, clear objectives, variety of tasks, pedagogical principles we have covered in workshops

Use of technology/powerpoint/images used

Interview Stage

Purpose of interview?

Level of English skills appropriate

Self-confident (handles pressure)

Cultural ambassador

Preparation

Prepare early

Brainstorm/Discuss

Write out responses

Speak out loud

Mock interview

Presenting YourselfProfessional

(but friendly)

Confident

(but not arrogant)

Formal

(but not stiff)

Interested

(not bored)

Interview Themes

Motivated What is the proof?

Focused Examples from your life?

Flexible An example that you adapt well?

MatureWhy can you handle this?

ApplicationHow will you apply skills?

PersonableCultural ambassador?

Team playerAny evidence for that?

TASKPractice brief interview with partner