If you are an English teacher looking for some ideas for an English class about preparing for a job interview, you might find this blog post useful. In this post, I will share some activities and resources that can help your students improve their interview skills and confidence.
One of the first things to consider is what type of interview your students might face. There are different types of interviews, such as telephone, video, face-to-face, panel or group interviews. Each type has its own purpose and challenges. For example, telephone interviews require good listening skills and clear pronunciation, while video interviews require good eye contact and body language. You can introduce your students to the different types of interviews and why they are used by using a worksheet from Barclays LifeSkills.
Another important aspect of preparing for a job interview is knowing how to answer common interview questions. A useful technique to teach your students is the STAR model, which stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result. This model helps them structure their answers in a clear and concise way, providing specific examples and evidence of their skills and achievements. You can explain the STAR model to your students using this presentation slide from Barclays LifeSkills or this article from British Council.
To practice using the STAR model, you can ask your students to work in pairs or small groups and role-play an interview situation. You can use these sample questions from BBC Bitesize or these lesson plans from Excellence Gateway as a guide. Alternatively, you can use the Virtual Interview Practice tool from Barclays LifeSkills, where your students can do mock interviews online and watch some model answers.
After each role-play or mock interview, you can ask your students to give each other constructive feedback on their performance. You can use these tips from BBC Bitesize or these criteria from Excellence Gateway to help them evaluate their strengths and areas for improvement.
I hope you find these ideas helpful for your English class about preparing for a job interview. Remember that preparation is key to interview success, so encourage your students to research the company or organisation they are applying for, dress appropriately and arrive on time. Good luck!
