Help - Teaching Interview

eco21

Hi,

I am applying yo do a PGDE in Scotland in Secondary School Teaching.

I have got an 15min interview and a 5min presentation in front of everyone to do on the day, on any topic I wish.

I just want to gather some advise from teachers or fellow student teachers, see what type of questions they will ask me and what do they look for when I am giving the prersentation.

Thanks

David

VickyA_2

Have you asked this question on the TES forums? www.tes.co.uk/staffroom They're really helpful on matters like this.

greenishfingers

It's difficult to give a definitive answer - all panels seem to be looking for their
own things. However here's my hapenny worth:

Be enthusiastic; about the subject you want to teach, about the pupils you will be teaching it to, and about your own abilities. And be positively honest (ie not blunt and not putting yourself down)

Good luck! :beer:

Oh, forgot to say, I was a teacher!

Rhiannon_of_Woolamai

Isn't it PGCE??

What makes a good teacher, why are you interested in teaching, describe a teacher that you thought was good at school, what made them good, what qualities do you have that would make you a good teacher, what are your subject strengths and weaknesses, what appeals to you about our course in particular,

For the presentation - they would be looking for a confident, natural approach,
1. be well prepared as possible, would be a good idea to have an OHT or handout (will make you less scared) if you're allowed this. If you're going to write points on a whiteboard - think it out in advance and practice your large writing and spelling
2. don't fidgit with your hands, but don't make them too stiff and wooden either - practice infront of a mirror at home,
3. swallow your erms - just take pauses if you need them rather than erm, er, um - make them dramatic and add to your presentation,
4. people remember facts if given to them in odd numbers ideally 3 or 5 - so if you're going to make several points make it 3 points not 4.
5. Don't attempt humour, but try to look human and not too scared.
6. When delivering your presentation look at the people back right, front right, back left, front left - this has the magical effect of making everyone feel that you included them - do it as unobviously as poss.
7. Choose your subject carefully - could be subject related, or teaching related, or something that you really love (your enthusiasm will come out in your talk). Research it carefully. Less info is better than too much
8. Practice practice practice - do it infront of your family and get their feedback.
9. The tendency when nervous is to speak too quickly - so practice and time yourself

Might be a good idea to go and look round a school before your interview - just phone them up and explain that you're a PGCE student, most are happy to do this - ideally a primary and secondary. It might just give you something to talk about in the interview, and also shows that you are keen and well prepared.

Good luck.

Savvy_Sue

Make your presentation memorable. A friend had to give a presentation for an interview for a health related job, and did it on headlice ... about which she knew a fair bit! so yes, something you know about and are passionate about, but also on a subject no-one else is likely to think of and that the panel will never forget, if you can!

Sarahsaver

I didnt have to do anything like a presentation, but I offered to take the last interview slot of the day as I lived near the uni, and I wore a leather jacket because it was the only one I had (biker style!) I did have a smart dress on underneath.
I just told the truth, I wanted to be a teacher because I wanted to do that since I was 5, and had the sort of teachers who inspired me. I said i hoped to be like them.We had to do group activities and were watched during this, they look for people who can lead a bit but also try to involve the whole group at the same time.
On a personal note I would say don't use powerpoint it's awful and over-used.