1.
General Background & Qualifications
Q: Could you tell us about yourself and your teaching journey so far?
A: I studied English Language and Literature at university and later completed my CELTA.
Since then, I’ve taught in different settings, from language academies to summer schools,
working with both children and adults. My teaching journey has given me the chance to
explore different methodologies, and I’ve developed a real passion for creating engaging,
communicative lessons where students feel confident using the language.
Q: What teaching qualifications do you hold (degree, CELTA, etc.)?
A: I hold a [Degree, e.g., BA in English Studies] and a CELTA certification. The degree
gave me a strong foundation in language and literature, while the CELTA equipped me with
practical classroom methodology and experience. Together, they’ve helped me become
confident in lesson planning, classroom management, and adapting my teaching for different
learners.
Q: What experience do you have teaching different age groups and levels?
A: I’ve taught children as young as 6, teenagers preparing for exams, and adults in both
general English and business contexts. I find each age group rewarding for different reasons
— young learners respond well to energy and creativity, while teenagers challenge me to
keep lessons relevant, and adults appreciate practical, real-life language use.
2. Teaching Skills & Methodology
Q: What would you say are your strengths as a teacher? And what are your areas for
improvement?
A: My strengths include creating engaging lessons, building rapport with students, and
adapting my teaching style to suit different needs. I’m also very organised and reliable. An
area I’m working on is integrating more project-based learning — I’ve started experimenting
with it and I see its benefits, but I’d like to develop it further.
Q: How do you usually plan your lessons?
A: I start by identifying the learning objectives, then choose tasks and activities that will
guide students towards those goals. I like to follow a communicative approach: introduce the
target language, provide controlled practice, and then move into freer, communicative
activities. I also build in differentiation — for example, offering support for weaker students
and extension tasks for stronger ones.
Q: Could you talk us through how you would present the Present Perfect Continuous
to a group of 16-year-old B2 students?
A: I’d begin with a short context, for example a picture of someone who looks tired, and ask:
“Why does she look so tired?” This should elicit answers like “She has been studying all
night.” From there, I’d highlight the form and meaning — that it’s used for actions that started
in the past and continue to the present, often with emphasis on duration. After a guided
discovery, I’d provide controlled practice (gap-fills, sentence completion) and then move to
freer practice, like asking students about activities they’ve been doing a lot recently (“What
have you been studying/playing/watching lately?”).
Q: How do you manage classroom discipline while keeping students engaged?
A: I believe in preventing discipline problems by setting clear expectations from the start
and keeping lessons dynamic and engaging. When issues arise, I address them calmly and
consistently, without disrupting the flow of the lesson. I also try to build positive relationships
so students respect the rules because they feel respected themselves.
Q: How do you build positive relationships with parents and children?
A: With children, it’s about showing genuine interest in them as individuals and creating a
safe, supportive classroom. With parents, I make sure communication is open and
professional — giving feedback on progress, suggesting ways they can support their child at
home, and addressing concerns constructively.
3. Assessment & Exams
Q: How do you balance exam preparation with making lessons communicative and
enjoyable?
A: I make exam practice as interactive as possible. For example, instead of just doing a
reading paper silently, students can work in pairs, compare answers, and justify choices. In
speaking, I turn exam tasks into fun, communicative activities that still reflect exam
conditions. This way, students develop exam skills but also enjoy the learning process.
4. Reflection & Professional Growth
Q: What was the last mistake you made at work, and how did you resolve it?
A: Once I misjudged the level of a text I brought to class — it was too challenging. I quickly
adapted by pre-teaching more vocabulary and breaking the text into smaller chunks.
Afterwards, I reflected on it and adjusted my planning process to include an extra level-
check step.
Q: Why should we choose you for this position?
A: Because I bring solid training, experience with different age groups, and a real passion
for teaching. I’m adaptable, committed to my students’ progress, and I enjoy being part of a
team. I think my mix of qualifications, enthusiasm, and reliability makes me a good fit for
your school.
Q: Where would you like to be professionally in five years?
A: I’d like to continue developing as a teacher, perhaps moving into teacher training or
curriculum design, while still staying connected to the classroom. My goal is to keep learning
and contributing to a strong bilingual education environment.
5. Practical & School-Specific
Q: Do you speak Spanish (or another language)? How do you use this in the
classroom or community?
A: Yes, I speak Spanish at an intermediate level. I don’t rely on it in class, but it helps me
connect with parents, support lower-level learners if necessary, and integrate more easily
into the local community.
Q: Why are you interested in working at Aran School specifically?
A: I’m attracted to Aran School because of its reputation for quality bilingual education and
its supportive teaching environment. I like that you emphasise both academic excellence
and student well-being, and I’d be excited to contribute to that mission.
Q: When would you be available to start?
A: I’m available to start immediately / from [insert date].
Q: Can you provide references from previous employers?
A: Yes, I can provide references from my previous school managers. They can confirm my
teaching ability, professionalism, and reliability.
EXTRA
On Differentiation & Inclusivity
A: I provide tiered activities so students can work at their level. For weaker students, I might
give vocabulary support or sentence starters, while stronger students can extend with open-
ended tasks. I also use pair/group work strategically so students can support each other.
On Collaboration
A: I believe teamwork is essential. I like sharing resources, co-planning where possible, and
learning from colleagues. In my previous job, I regularly participated in staff meetings and
contributed to shared exam-prep resources.
On Technology
A: Technology should support learning, not replace it. I use tools like interactive quizzes,
videos, or collaborative platforms to enhance engagement and provide variety. I also make
sure it serves the lesson objective, rather than being a distraction.
On Motivation
A: I use activities that connect to students’ interests, set achievable goals, and praise
progress. For reluctant speakers, I start with low-pressure tasks like pair work or short
answers before building to more open communication.
On Culture
A: I bring culture into lessons through real-life materials — songs, films, news articles —
and discussions about cultural differences. This makes language learning meaningful and
helps students understand the wider world.
Family & Relationships
1. I know you’ve recently moved here with your husband — how has that experience
been for you both?
2. What’s one thing you’ve discovered about life here that you didn’t expect?
3. How has your family supported you in your career decisions so far?
4. Has living here together changed anything about your relationship or lifestyle?
5. Do you think having a strong personal support network helps you as a teacher?
How?
Personal Growth & Outlook
10. How has this move influenced your goals, personally or professionally?
11. What have you learned about yourself during this transition?
12. If you could give advice to someone moving to a new country with their partner, what
would it be?
9. Family & Friends / Personal Life
Vocabulary:
● support network, personal relationships, family bonds, friendships
● shared experiences, lifestyle changes, adaptation, relocation
● values, principles, life lessons, personal growth
Collocations & Expressions:
● rely on family support
● maintain close relationships
● adapt to new environments
● learn from experiences
● balance personal and professional life
● strengthen family ties
1. Family
Vocabulary:
● immediate family, extended family, relatives, siblings, spouse/partner
● family bonds, family ties, upbringing, household
● support network, role model, family traditions
Collocations & Expressions:
● maintain close family ties
● rely on family support
● come from a close-knit family
● strengthen family relationships
● share family traditions
● play an active role in the household
Sample Expressions for Answers:
● “My family has always been my biggest support network.”
● “Growing up in a close-knit family taught me the value of communication.”
● “I enjoy maintaining strong relationships with my relatives despite living abroad.”
2. Friends & Social Life
Vocabulary:
● close friends, best friends, acquaintances, social circle, friendship bonds
● mutual interests, shared experiences, peer support
● networking, social activities, socialising
Collocations & Expressions:
● maintain friendships over long distances
● spend quality time with friends
● rely on friends for advice
● build a supportive social network
● share memorable experiences
● make new friends easily / struggle to make new friends
Sample Expressions for Answers:
● “I like to spend quality time with friends on weekends.”
● “My friends and I share a lot of memorable experiences, which strengthens our
bond.”
● “Having a supportive social network is essential, especially when moving to a new
country.”
3. Personal Life & Lifestyle
Vocabulary:
● lifestyle, routine, work-life balance, personal growth
● hobbies, interests, leisure activities, pastimes
● habits, self-care, mindfulness, personal development
Collocations & Expressions:
● maintain a healthy work-life balance
● pursue hobbies and interests
● dedicate time to personal development
● adapt to lifestyle changes
● prioritise self-care
● learn from personal experiences
Sample Expressions for Answers:
● “I try to maintain a healthy work-life balance by dedicating weekends to hobbies and
family.”
● “Personal growth has been a major focus since moving abroad.”
● “I enjoy pursuing creative hobbies in my free time, which helps me relax and
recharge.”
4. Life Changes & Adaptation
Vocabulary:
● relocation, cultural adaptation, lifestyle changes, transition
● adjustment, settling in, adaptation process, resilience
● new experiences, challenges, opportunities
Collocations & Expressions:
● adapt to a new environment
● cope with life changes
● settle into a new community
● embrace new experiences
● overcome challenges together as a family
● gain valuable insights from life transitions
Sample Expressions for Answers:
● “Moving here with my husband was a significant change, but we’ve adapted well to
our new environment.”
● “Settling into a new community required flexibility and patience.”
● “Experiencing new cultures has given us both valuable insights.”
5. Reflection & Values
Vocabulary:
● resilience, self-awareness, gratitude, empathy, personal values
● life lessons, priorities, meaningful experiences, personal achievements
Collocations & Expressions:
● reflect on personal experiences
● learn valuable life lessons
● prioritise what matters most
● develop resilience through challenges
● appreciate the support of loved ones
Sample Expressions for Answers:
● “I’ve learned to appreciate the support of loved ones in both personal and
professional life.”
● “Reflecting on life experiences helps me understand my priorities better.”
● “Resilience and adaptability have been key in managing big life changes.”
Family & Relationships
Q1: I know you’ve recently moved here with your husband — how has that experience
been for you both?
A: Moving here with my husband has been a significant change, but we’ve adapted well to
our new environment. It’s strengthened our relationship because we’ve had to support each
other and navigate challenges together, which has really reinforced our bond.
Q2: What’s one thing you’ve discovered about life here that you didn’t expect?
A: I was surprised by how welcoming the local community is. I didn’t expect to find such a
supportive social network so quickly, and it’s made settling in much easier than I anticipated.
Q3: How has your family supported you in your career decisions so far?
A: My family has always been my biggest support network. They’ve encouraged me to
pursue professional development opportunities and have given me the confidence to take on
new challenges in my teaching career.
Q4: Has living here together changed anything about your relationship or lifestyle?
A: Living here together has helped us prioritise what matters most. We’ve developed new
routines that balance work and personal life better, and it’s given us both a deeper
appreciation for each other’s strengths.
Q5: Do you think having a strong personal support network helps you as a teacher?
How?
A: Absolutely. Having a reliable support network allows me to manage stress effectively,
which in turn helps me remain patient and engaged with my students. I’ve learned that
personal stability really contributes to professional effectiveness.
Community & Adaptation
Q6: Have you found it easy to settle into the community here?
A: Yes, I’ve been able to settle into the community relatively smoothly. Joining local groups
and participating in social activities has helped me feel more integrated and familiar with the
area.
Q7: What have you enjoyed most about meeting new people locally?
A: I’ve really enjoyed sharing memorable experiences and learning from the perspectives of
others. It’s been inspiring to see how welcoming people can be and how much you can gain
from building a supportive social network.
Q8: Are there any cultural differences you’ve noticed compared to where you’re
from?
A: Definitely. I’ve noticed that people here tend to prioritise work-life balance more than I
expected, which has influenced how my husband and I structure our daily routine. It’s been
interesting to adapt to these new social norms.
Q9: Do you and your husband take part in any community or social activities here?
A: Yes, we try to participate in local cultural events and community gatherings whenever
possible. It’s a great way to maintain close relationships with our neighbors and contribute to
the local community.
Personal Growth & Outlook
Q10: How has this move influenced your goals, personally or professionally?
A: Moving here has encouraged me to reflect on my long-term goals. Personally, I want to
develop resilience and adaptability, and professionally, I’m more motivated to pursue
opportunities in bilingual education and integrate into the school community.
Q11: What have you learned about yourself during this transition?
A: I’ve learned that I can adapt quickly to new environments and manage unexpected
challenges. I’ve also realised the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and
relying on my personal support network during times of change.
Q12: If you could give advice to someone moving to a new country with their partner,
what would it be?
A: I would advise them to embrace new experiences and communicate openly with each
other. It’s essential to build a supportive social network and remain flexible, as adaptation is
much easier when you share responsibilities and support each other throughout the
transition.
