For interview candidates
Before we meet.
Here are 25 questions we might ask in your interview at Flying English. They’ll give you an idea of what we’d like to talk about.
You don’t need to prepare a script or write out answers. Think of a few examples you can talk us through: what you tried, how the children responded and what you would change.
Review the teaching role ↗
If this is your first teaching job, draw on tutoring, volunteering, study or other work with children. For situations you haven’t encountered, explain what you would try and why.
We may ask follow-up questions or discuss other parts of your experience. Bring your own questions about the school, the role and life in Shanghai, too.
You and the role
- What do you enjoy about teaching young children? Which age group do you find most challenging, and why?
- Why did you leave—or why are you considering leaving—your last position?
- What interests you about teaching at Flying English and living in Shanghai?
- Talk us through a lesson that went well. What did the students learn, and how could you tell?
- Tell us about a lesson that didn’t work. What did you change afterward?
Teaching and checking understanding
- How do you check understanding without simply asking, “Do you understand?”
- If a child can repeat a sentence correctly, how would you check that they understand what it means?
- How do you teach reading to a child who is just beginning to learn English?
- What would you do with a student who can sound out the words but doesn’t understand the story?
- How would you use a picture book in a lesson? Give us an example of what you would do before, during and after reading.
- How do you teach writing? How would your approach differ for a beginner and a child who can already write sentences?
- How do you help children come up with their own ideas for writing, rather than copy a model?
- When a child makes a speaking or writing mistake, how do you decide whether and how to correct it?
- How would you plan a lesson for six children with noticeably different English levels?
Participation and classroom management
- How do you get a quiet or reluctant student to participate without putting them on the spot?
- How do you motivate a student who says, “English is boring,” or refuses to join an activity?
- What does good classroom management look like in your lessons? What routines do you establish from the start?
- A child repeatedly interrupts while you’re helping another student. What would you do in the moment, and afterward?
- Two children argue during a game, and one starts crying. How would you handle it?
- How do you make sure a game teaches something, rather than just keeps children busy?
- An activity finishes ten minutes early—or is clearly too difficult. What do you do next?
Working with families and colleagues
- How would you explain a child’s progress and difficulties to a parent? What examples would you share?
- Tell us about feedback from a colleague or manager that changed your teaching.
- If a child told you something that made you concerned about their safety, what would you do?
- What’s the last book you read, and what did you think of it? It doesn’t have to be about teaching.
Your questions
What would you like to know?
Make a note of anything you want to ask us. If you need to check something before the interview, email Anna and Vera.
flyingenglish@163.com ↗