Have a mock job interview with your students

This task is a great way of combining written and oral skills since the end result is an oral interview.

Writing a CV


First, ask your students to read this job advert.

SUMMER ENGLISH TUTORS WANTED

Our school is looking for students to teach English to
new Form 1 students.

Tutors will teach students 1-2-1. You should improve
their English speaking and writing through fun
activities. Previous tutoring experience is preferred.

Dates: 20 July – 15 August, Monday to Friday
Time: 09.30 – 12.30
Pay per hour: $75
Applicants must have a good standard of English and
enjoy reading.


Then, ask your students to write a CV for this job. 

Remind them to write down their personal details, education, work experience, hobbies, interests and referees in their CVs. For education and work experience, put the most recent first.

Here is some great references on how to write a CV:

Mock job interview

  1. Put the class into two groups. One group will act as interviewers. The other group will be interviewed for the tutoring job.
  2. Put students in groups of four. They can plan together.
  3. The interviewing group sits together. They interview students one by one.
  4. Give the interviewers 10 minutes to study the CVs and think of suitable questions.
  5. Allow about five minute for each candidate.
  6. Interviewers should start with easier questions and finish with more challenging ones.
  7. Encourage students to ask follow-up questions to candidates’ answers.
  8. You may want to demonstrate one interview to the whole class so that they understand the procedure.
  9. At the end, they should give feedback teach candidate and choose one to get the job.
  10. Remind interviewers to give positive feedback before talking about weak points.
  11. If time allows, let the students swap roles so that everybody can be interviewed.
  12. You could have a final interview at the end to choose the tutor.

Here are some sample questions. Students should think of questions based on the CVs as well.

  • Please tell me about yourself.
  • Why do you want to be an English tutor?
  • Please tell us about a teacher you respect. What makes them a good
  • teacher?
  • What is the best way to learn English?
  • Have you ever had a tutor? Why? Why not?
  • Please share your experience of joining this school in Form One.
  • Tell us about an English book you read recently.
  • Are girls better than boys at English?
  • What do your friends say are your bad points?
  • Why do you like… (a hobby)?
  • Who do you admire? Why? What are his/her bad points?
  • If you were a cartoon character, which one would you be?
  • Are there any types of people you dislike?
  • Why should we choose you?
  • Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
  • Do you have any questions for us?