Speak to an example where a challenging student became a better student in your class.

"One student at the first school I taught at was hard to manage during my year of teaching. She knew I was new, and there was a lot of testing by her going on. Early in the year, I pulled her aside and discussed my expectations of her and how I thought she could be an outstanding student. Things did not change overnight, but that conversation propelled her to be my biggest advocate by the end of the year."

Sometimes, you will have an experience where the difficult student will be one of your best at the end of the day. Speak to how you accomplished this. With techniques and strategies, the interviewer will get a better perspective of who you are and how you teach.

"I had a student that was really awful to his peers. He called people names, had a lack of respect for the school, and would yell when he did not have his way. It was a challenge to say the least. Still, I worked to give him more and more responsibilty in the class to make sure that he could see his value. While things are not perfect, he has come a long way."

Give an example of your most challenging students and how you handled situations with them.

"I had a student in my last school who pushed back to anything I was teaching him. He struggled in my class because he thought he did not need to be in ESL. I worked to ease the tension and prove to him this class would benefit him in the long run. Ultimately, I was patient with him and built trust over the year to give him quality tips and skills to make him a better English learner."

Every teacher knows challenging students will present themselves over time. The interviewer wants to see how you have handled these examples in the past, so they can see how you will work to deal with these things in the future. A play-by-play with specifics for best results is a quality answer here.

"My most challenging student right now has limited English skills. With this difficulty to communicate, you can see it in her face that emotions get the best of her with the lack of language content. I have been able to work setting up a success plan with her. We talk through goals she wants to learn in English, and we are slowly working before and after school to make this happen. The student has become less and less challenging because of this."

What modification do you do with students who are struggling behaviorally in your classroom?

"There are a few things I can try to diversify a student's learning who is struggling. Sometimes, moving a student refocuses them on the material. If poor behavior is still happening, I talk with them one-on-one to see how I can support them. Even asking the student if they are o.k. can diffuse any behavioral issues."

Diversification is one of the best ways an interviewer can see if you are a qualified teacher or not. Talk through situations where you had modifications with a student to breed success. A plethora of examples can show the interviewer you have experience in this area.

"I know not every teacher has this, but I have an aide that works in my class with me. The aide has built a repetorie with one of my difficult students. When they are struggling behaviorally, the aide takes them aside, works with them one-on-one, and then gets them back into engagement with the rest of the class."

What communication do you have with parents when their child is not living up to expectations?

"I like to give my students as many opportunities as possible to fix the behavior on their own. But, if this does not happen, I involve the parents through an email or phone class first. If improvement does not happen, I bring the parents and students into the school. Lastly, if the problem persists, I bring in the administration for added support."

Protocols are things that interviewers want to see in a possible new hire. Go through a plan that you have to include parents in a student issue. A disorganized teacher with classroom protocols can get knocked down a peg if there is no preparation for a scenario like this in an interview.

"This is one of the hardest areas for me to grow in. I like to engage my students, but talking to parents seems like an alien thing to do. Maybe it is because I do not have children of my own. But, it always seems to be a little awkard. Still, I have been trying to think of these conversations as if I was a parent myself. I would want to hear from the teacher and so do these parents."

How do you work with troublesome students?

"When I have a troublesome student, I have gotten better at not letting the situation bother me. I understand better now that this situation has less to do about my teaching and more about them. I work to correct the behavior, find positive reinforcement, and give more attention to the student."

Troublesome students will present themselves at some point in time. The interviewer knows this, but they want to know what your philosophy is when handling the situation. Share how you work with the most common of troublesome individuals in your class.

"Troublesome students can be the hardest part of the job. They can make or break a class in a heartbeat. For me, it is good to have protocols set up beforehand. For me, I have a three-step system of a warning, moving the student, and spending time assisted out in the hall with the student. A lot of times, there seems to be attention needed from these troubled students. That is why positive reinforcement is a quality thing to help supplement in these situations."

"While working with young students of English or teenagers, one is likely to have a troublesome student in their group sooner or later. To minimize troublemaking among young students, I use the Whole Brain Teaching method which includes setting clear rules from day one and rehearsing them regularly in a fun way. It also involves creating team spirit and focusing on the goal which helps manage difficult students. When it comes to teenagers, I always ask myself what I am doing wrong and what needs of the troublemaker I might be neglecting. They might be related or unrelated to our classroom routine, like their wish to prove themselves as a group leader or their problems with their group mates. Then I am trying to change my behavior so that the troublemaker has to change theirs. Say, I may give them more responsibilities to emphasize their importance in the group or find out what problem they might have with other students. Whatever the reason is, I remember that I can't just neglect such students."

Share one thing about yourself.

"One thing I like to do is run. After each day of work, I hit some running trails nearby. This exercise is a great kind of stress-reducer for me if I have had a hard day. Additionally, I sleep better at night, and I feel good to finish off my day."

This question is an icebreaker of sorts. The interviewer wants to get a sense of your personality and likes in your life. Give them an answer that adds fulfillment to your life.

"I really wanted to wow my interviewer, so I choose something that they would remember. You know? Like what sets me a part from other teachers. I said I played the bagpipes and have been for 10 years. That certainly is not something everyone plays."

What do you like about this school?

"One thing I noticed on your school website is that the school community is active around town. I believe a school that cares for its community will see its students thrive. I certainly want to be apart of something like that."

The interviewer wants to see what kind of research you have done in the school. The answer to this question will prove if you care about a job at this school or not. Make sure that you have checked the school's website or connect with some teachers that have worked at the school to give you some perspective before the interview.

"When I walk into an interview, I want to know the ins and outs of the school I am applying for. What are they known for? Why are they in the news? What is the school's legacy? If I can get a grasp of those things, this has impressed."

What keeps you motivated to teach during the day?

"The students are the ones that keep me going day after day. Their humor and conversations are rewarding. However, I know there will be days that maybe my students are not as motivating. When this happens, I pull out old thank you notes past students have written to me. These notes are a reminder of the influence I have had in the past."

Teaching is not always easy. The interview knows this fact. But, what the interviewer does want to see is that you keep up the motivation throughout the day. Share any tricks and tips you have for a positive work environment with your students.

"Not everyday is a motivating day to teach. But, if I am having a down-day, then I pull out old student letters from my past. This reminds me where I have been and where I continue to go with the next generation of learners."

What are the best ways to motivate your students?

"I know from personal experience that not all students are motivated the same way in my ESL class. For example, I had one student who loved tangible rewards when he succeeded in an assessment. It was little trinkets like stickers, candy, pencils, etc. On the other hand, another student was not interested in rewards. Instead, vocal encouragement is what she cared about the most."

Since students are the reason a school is open, the interviewer wants to see what motivation strategies you use. Give prior knowledge and experiences that proved students stayed focus on the materials at hand.

"If I am not motivated myself, my students certainly will not. Even if I am not at my A-game, I try my best to beam positivity, hopefully seeing reciprocation in the process."

How many years have you been an ESL educator?

"I have 15 years teaching ESL at two different schools. The schools were very different from one another. One school was in the inner city, while the other one was in a more rural setting. I believe this example has given me a more diverse teaching experience to better connect with my students."

Sure, you may have this information on your resume. But, here is where you can elaborate more on your experience. It is alright not to be humble here. Be proud of what you have experienced to excite the interviewer.

"When I talk about the years I have taught, I am specific with my total number of years taught and the specific locations I taught for how long. This has given my interviewers a better understanding of the places I have taught."

What questions do you have about this school?

"I noticed on your website that you do not have a Foreign Langauge club. Is there a reason for this? I believe a club like that could tie all foreign language learners together, as well as English students, to connect with a greater understanding of each other."

This question's answer proves to the interviewer that you have a real buy-in for this job. Look through the school's website and write down questions beforehand that you could get more clarity.

"One question that I have asked involves why do other teachers and administration like working here. Then, I get a sense of what the school is really like."

What certifications do you currently have in ESL?

"I have a few credentials. TOEFL is one of the most prevalent options in the United States of America. With scoring for speaking, writing, reading, and listening, I can assess students accurately. I also have a certification for TESOL. I use resources from this training to work with students dealing with the business world."

The interviewer wants to get a sense of your background credentials. Be specific about the ones you currently have. In turn, you can explain their importance to ESL teaching.

"I only have a TOEFL at this point. But, I would love to be certified in TESOL. I would love more information on this certification if you could direct me."

What technology implementation do you use in your classes?

"PowerPoint presentations, Prezi, YouTube videos, and Kahoot! are some of the ways I get to use technology in my classroom. I still believe in paperwork because students can learn and remember key definitions. But, there are a variety of helpful online tools to help with memory and long-term understanding that I use weekly."

Technology is a part of the present and will continue to be in the future. The interviewer needs to see how you implement tech to enhance learning. There is a balance you will need to show in your answer here.

"My favorite thing is using Google Translate. This is a great way for students to get a starting point for language. Even though it is not perfect, it is ideal for any beginner to have success."

How would you describe a strong teacher?

"At my last job, there was a female teacher that I respected. When I entered her classroom, I got the sense that she cared about her students. Sure, she still had rules, classroom management, and commitments in the classroom, but she spent time going around to every student through the period, truly engaging them. To me, this example is a strong teacher."

Many people can define this type of teacher as being someone who demands respect in the classroom, is superior, and is dominant in a class setting. This example does not always have to be the case. Speak of a time where a teacher was strong, even though they still have a soft heart for the students.

"A strong teacher is someone who demands attention in the classroom, cares deeply for the students, and has high-expectations for his/her students."

What is the best teaching achievement you have experienced?

"Over my 15 years in the profession, I have had recognitions and accolades, but nothing is better than the achievement of student success. When a student leaves my classroom, I want a part of them to use the information they have learned in my class for the rest of their lives. By having students coming back to visit and hearing their stories, I understand the impact I have had on students that needed me during a particular time of life."

Give a personal example of teaching accolades, but you can also focus on a teacher/student success story. Being more specific is the best answer here. The interviewer wants to get to know you and see what matters to you in the profession.

"I received the "Teacher Of The Year" Award for my district a few years back. This has been a great thing to put on my resume and I proudly hang the plaque on the wall. It is nice to be recognized."

How would peers describe your teaching?

"My peers would say that I have an energetic teaching style. By interacting with my students in a class, small group, and individual settings, my peers get to see how I spend time in different environments. When teachers are in each other's classrooms, they get a greater sense of teaching. I have learned a lot by checking out different subjects."

Many times, an interviewer does not know the interviewee. Share a part of yourself on how others view your teaching. Be honest and connect how you partner with these teachers. The interviewer wants to see how you will fit into their community.

"I loved my peers in the last school I was a part of. The administration encouraged us to be in each other's classrooms. In turn, we got to see each other firsthand. Many of my peers would say I am diligent to students' needs and work overtime to help them on the road ahead."

What makes an ESL classroom different from a traditional classroom?

"In the last school, I brought in Chinese and English cues to help the Chinese international students. By recalling vocabulary and enhancing language concepts, practice happened every day through online text, videos, and other activity introductions."

The learning environment in a classroom with non-English speakers does look different from a regular classroom. With a variety of resources and teaching tools, new language learning needs support. This question's answer needs to give clarity to the interviewer if you can support ESL students or not. Giving examples of how you have done this before will help.

"In my classroom, an ESL classroom is different than the norm. I have more visuals all around the classroom. My room should be the teacher as well."

What other languages do you speak fluently besides English?

"Besides English, I speak Chinese fluently. I have some understanding of Spanish and French, as well. Conjugations are something I specialize in those languages, which gives me a basic knowledge to help my students."

The more languages you speak fluently, the better chance you will have of getting this job. You may still get the job if not, but explain what understanding you have of languages to paint the picture of your knowledge to the interviewer.

"I also speak Spanish fluently. As America continues to be a more diverse country, I believe this lanugage is essential for the future. Who knows? Spanish may even become a national language if things continue to go the way they currently are."

"I speak Serbian and Croatian languages fluently, I speak some Ukrainian and understand Polish quite well. I also speak Spanish, though it has become a bit rusty but if need be, I can brush up on it really quickly. Language-learning experience is extremely important for an ESL teacher because it gives me an understanding of what kind of problems my students may face."

What professional development has furthered your education to this point?

"This year, I participated in some online conferences focusing on ESL. I learned new techniques and strategies that I have used in my classroom. One, in particular, made an impact on me, and my students have loved it. I use this game to assess students, but they enjoy it so much, they do not even know there is an assessment going on."

An interviewer always wants to see your developmental path. If you have done development over the years, an interviewer will see your commitment to the profession.

"Pursuing a Master's Degree has helped me further my education. A constant learner is a successful one I believe. You can never stop learning."

Share one professional goal you want to achieve over your career.

"One professional goal that I have is getting my master's degree in ESL. I have looked at a variety of programs and feel like Liberty University's certification would be best. With online curriculum and classes, I can teach as well as take school over a year."

Interviewers want to see that you are growing and improving yourself. Think through professional goals beforehand that could make you a better teacher and educator. Giving specifics is the best way to go.

"A goal that I want to achieve over my career is getting each student to a place that they want to be at the end of each year. Some of the goals might be lofty, but we try our hardest to get them to a place of success."

What is the best thing about teaching?

"I got into ESL teaching because I grew up in a home where English was not the primary language. I had positive experiences and challenges that have given me a full perspective when taking ESL myself. In turn, I feel like I am relatable to my students."

The interviewer wants to get a sense of what excites you about teaching. A variety of reasons get a teacher into teaching in the first place. Give the interviewer a sneak peek into your background.

"The best part about teaching is seeing students overcome language challenges. When they are able to achieve greatness, this is when the student becomes proud of their work and what lies ahead. These milestones go a long, long way, as they improve their ESL skills."

In what ways do you modify lessons for ESL students who also have a learning disability?

"Let's say I am working on a lesson involving past tense. For the typical ESL student, I may bring in previous knowledge about using past tense in their native language and adapting it to English. For a student with a learning disability, I would get the class started and work with this student one-on-one, working on the basics of past tense in their language again before diving into more challenging material. By seeing progress, then I can see if they are ready to move on or not. For certain sections, I may group students into different parts of the classroom, based on their knowledge, to give each group the teaching they need for ultimate success."

Just like a traditional English learner, ESL students can have learning disabilities. For some, ESL students are in the class due to this fact. Share a typical lesson that could have some modifications to give more baby steps to help a student with a learning disability along in the right direction.

"Learning disabilities and a new language can be a hard barrier to overcome. But, I need to back off my expectations and work slowly with a student. Many small goals need to be paired for success in this area."

Describe components that are imperative for a lesson plan.

"Songs are one of the best ways that students learn. So, I start my classes with a hello song and a goodbye song that fit into the lesson I am teaching. Additionally, I have an introduction and wrap-up on the bookends of the class. In the middle of my time, I have a teaching section, assessment opportunities, and activities."

Some components need to be shared to prove that you know what you are doing when teaching ESL. Go through a traditional plan that gives students the best opportunities for a bright future. The interviewer needs to grasp how you put your lessons together for this question.

"I have a kind of assessment each and every day. This way, I can see what progress has been made and where each student has to come."

How accessible is your curriculum for ESL students?

"Assessment data is the best way for me to lesson plan and diversify my lessons. By understanding learning styles, I can see the kind of support students need, based on the activity. Specific modifications can be things like visual cues or other lessons that allow students' independence for what they need to be successful."

Not every student learns the same. An interviewer wants to see how you diversify what you do to give some students' extra resources if they are in need. Dive into different language levels in your class and how you use varying materials to help with personal learning.

"For me, it is imperative to have accessible curriculum. Every student is coming into my class with different experiences and language barriers. It is my job to make sure that every student has their own plan towards ultimate success."

What kind of homework do you give to ESL students?

"I only want to give homework that enhances learning outside the classroom. With this in mind, I work to give homework that allows the student to view the world around them in a new way. Let's say we are working on words for different foods. I may have a homework assignment for students to write out the English name of foods that they have in their fridge or pantry."

There is a time and place for homework. But, there are some teachers out there that give homework with no reasoning. Prove your homework's worth. Share what a typical week looks like for you involving extra work.

"I want homework for my students that furthers their learning. Each student gets different homework based on where they are at in the class. One student might need to dive into American culture, while another one needs to get up-to-date with American cars. Homework will be adapted in that way."

Describe your teaching philosophy on a day-to-day basis.

"My teaching philosophy every day is to strive for my students to learn one new thing each time. This way, I can assess at the end of each class what stuck out to them and how they can use the information moving forward. My class should never be stagnant, and I need to have my students in mind when planning out what I need to accomplish in class to help them to succeed."

Giving the interviewer how your class works every day will assure peace of mind when hiring you. Be specific in what things matter most to you, so the interviewer understanding who you are and why the way you are as a teacher.

"Day-to-day, I want things to be different. I don't want my class to be stale or the same thing over and over again. This way, my students will stay engaged and more learning will happen."

If you find out that a class will lose 15 minutes last minute, how do you adapt to the situation?

"One of the best attributes of any teacher is being adaptable. Students vary from class to class, lessons change, and students' behavior shifts, but teachers can handle this. If I lose 15 minutes, I will not sweat the small stuff. I focus more on activities and less on the teaching of new materials. Then, students can learn and grow through some fun."

Teaching can change on a dime. A seasoned teacher has to adapt to various situations. It is easy to get frustrated, but an interviewer wants to see how you modify lessons in tight windows of time.

"I will be honest. It is hard to not be upset. I want consistency for my class. But, I get over it because that is what a good teacher does. Still, I will have a civilized convesation with the adminstration to make sure things can be changed for the future."

What is your approach to developing an assessment?

"Each quarter, I go through a unit with informal assessments. This example is one of the best ways I see progress levels moving. Of course, the informal assessments fit into standards that ESL students have to master, based on state and core learning. Also, to start a year, I assess proficiency in English, and through the year, I assess multiple times to see improvements and challenge areas."

Creating quality assessments give the interviewer an idea of the experience you have. Through assessment development, show the types of assessment you have used to allow students the best chance to thrive.

"Assessments have to be personal. All my students cannot take the same ones. This way, I get to see individual learning from these personalized assessments."

Give an example of progress monitoring in your ESL class.

"Over the years, the best monitoring system I have used is Excel on a PC. These digital records help show the learning date for every student that I have. To organize my language concepts, I use separate Excel pages, such as phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and fluency, among other things. I also have a page for state-assessments, so I can gather any information I need for evaluation. The insight I get from this data is priceless."

Finding ways for your students to succeed is what the interviewer wants to see. Express the kind of software, methods, tools, and other resources you use to track any progress.

"I prefer handwritten systems that I can also put online. Then, I have multiple rosters in case one gets lost some how. Double coverage will save me."

What do you do to communicate with ESL students' families?

"With my experience in ESL, I understand that most parents' native language is not English. Of course, this example is one of the most challenging parts of the job, but I pride myself on finding ways to communicate. Over the years, I have used a newsletter in the native languages of the parents. Weekly emails have also been a staple for me. Lastly, I work with students to give information at home to their parents so everyone can be on the same page."

Planning out how to get family members and parents involved with what their student is doing in school is essential. Interviewers want to see how you showcase communication skills, even if they do not speak English.

"I work to over-communicate. If there is a language barrier with the student, the parents might have it even harder. I make sure to have phone calls, in-person conferences, emails, and post announcements on Google Classroom as much as possible. For me, this covers all my bases."

ESL Teacher Interview Questions

Go Back

1. Speak to an example where a challenging student became a better student in your class.
2. Give an example of your most challenging students and how you handled situations with them.
3. What modification do you do with students who are struggling behaviorally in your classroom?
4. What communication do you have with parents when their child is not living up to expectations?
5. How do you work with troublesome students?
6. Share one thing about yourself.
7. What do you like about this school?
8. What keeps you motivated to teach during the day?
9. What are the best ways to motivate your students?
10. How many years have you been an ESL educator?
11. What questions do you have about this school?
12. What certifications do you currently have in ESL?
13. What technology implementation do you use in your classes?
14. How would you describe a strong teacher?
15. What is the best teaching achievement you have experienced?
16. How would peers describe your teaching?
17. What makes an ESL classroom different from a traditional classroom?
18. What other languages do you speak fluently besides English?
19. What professional development has furthered your education to this point?
20. Share one professional goal you want to achieve over your career.
21. What is the best thing about teaching?
22. In what ways do you modify lessons for ESL students who also have a learning disability?
23. Describe components that are imperative for a lesson plan.
24. How accessible is your curriculum for ESL students?
25. What kind of homework do you give to ESL students?
26. Describe your teaching philosophy on a day-to-day basis.
27. If you find out that a class will lose 15 minutes last minute, how do you adapt to the situation?
28. What is your approach to developing an assessment?
29. Give an example of progress monitoring in your ESL class.
30. What do you do to communicate with ESL students' families?

ESL Teacher Interview Questions

1. Speak to an example where a challenging student became a better student in your class.

2. Give an example of your most challenging students and how you handled situations with them.

3. What modification do you do with students who are struggling behaviorally in your classroom?

4. What communication do you have with parents when their child is not living up to expectations?

5. How do you work with troublesome students?

6. Share one thing about yourself.

7. What do you like about this school?

8. What keeps you motivated to teach during the day?

9. What are the best ways to motivate your students?

10. How many years have you been an ESL educator?

11. What questions do you have about this school?

12. What certifications do you currently have in ESL?

13. What technology implementation do you use in your classes?

14. How would you describe a strong teacher?

15. What is the best teaching achievement you have experienced?

16. How would peers describe your teaching?

17. What makes an ESL classroom different from a traditional classroom?

18. What other languages do you speak fluently besides English?

19. What professional development has furthered your education to this point?

20. Share one professional goal you want to achieve over your career.

21. What is the best thing about teaching?

22. In what ways do you modify lessons for ESL students who also have a learning disability?

23. Describe components that are imperative for a lesson plan.

24. How accessible is your curriculum for ESL students?

25. What kind of homework do you give to ESL students?

26. Describe your teaching philosophy on a day-to-day basis.

27. If you find out that a class will lose 15 minutes last minute, how do you adapt to the situation?

28. What is your approach to developing an assessment?

29. Give an example of progress monitoring in your ESL class.

30. What do you do to communicate with ESL students' families?