30+ Interview Questions For International Teachers

Here is a list of interview questions for teachers commonly asked by International Schools.  Writing a great CV and Cover Letter is only the first part of securing your perfect teaching job, preparing for your interview will give you confidence and ensure that you are presenting your best self.  You should prepare and be ready to answer interview questions like the following before sitting down with any perspective new employer / school.

Remember to keep your answers concise.  Answer the questions but don’t ramble.  If you are unsure whether you’ve answered the question to their satisfaction then simply ask – would you like me to expand on that or provide another example?  Try to frame your responses in a way that tells a specific story from your teaching past.  This will help demonstrate that you have the necessary experience and good habits for a job.   Focus on specific examples from your past where you have demonstrated these habits and skills as this is the best way to illustrate what you will do in a similar situation in the future.  This is generally referred to as a Behavioural Interview.

Interview Questions About Your Experience In The Classroom:

• Tell me about your education and specifically your teaching qualifications in your home country.
• Tell me about your recent teaching experience.  Where and what have you been teaching?
• How do you use technology in the classroom?
• How do you plan your classes?  Unit?  Semester?
• What headings would you normally expect to find on a class plan outline?
• Have you ever had to deal with a difficult colleague?
• How do you handle behaviour issues in the classroom?
• What would you do with a student who is failing your class?
• How do you involve your students’ parents in their education?
• What extra curricular activities have you or would be interested in participating in?
• What are your views on student assessment?

Interview Questions About Your Subject Specialty:

• What subjects are you qualified to teach?
• If I went to your classroom what would I see and hear?
• What subjects would you prefer to teach?  What levels?
• Can you give me an example of a lesson you’ve recently taught that illustrates your understanding of the subject matter?
• Tell me how you have collaborated with a colleague in the past and what the outcome was.
• How do you keep current and up to date on this subject?
• How have you accommodated second language learners in your classroom?
• How have you accommodated students with special needs in your classroom?
• What extra qualifications or certifications have you completed?
• How do you incorporate differentiation into your lessons?

Interview Questions About The New School and Location:

• Why are you leaving your current school? Was it a good experience?
• What do you know about our school?  About the country?
• Are you familiar with our curriculum?  Have you taught it in the past?
• Tell me how you have been flexible and adaptable in the past.
• What differences have you observed between western and eastern educational styles?
• Why do you want to work here?
• Do you have any questions for us?

Interview Questions about your Teaching Philosophy

• If you could change one thing about the current education system what would it be?
• What is worth learning and teaching?
• How do you build an inclusive learning community within your school/classroom? What are your beliefs about inclusion?
• How would you describe yourself in the classroom?
• Tell us the story of your learning journey and what you have accomplished that you are proud of or you feel is innovative.
• What are you learning about / reading?
• What literacies (ie. media literacy, numeracy) are essential for your students to learn? How are you teaching these literacies for tomorrow’s learners?  
• Do you have a growth mindset?
• How do you share in the learning with your students, parents, colleagues and/or leaders? How do you build community?

Be sure to think about and prepare responses for these interview questions.  Practice your ‘job talk’. Principals and recruiters expect teachers to be prepared in the classroom so it only makes sense that you should be well prepared for your interview.

Check out all of Byron Recruitment‘s exciting international teaching jobs by clicking HERE or email us at teachers@byronrecruitment.com.