How to Nail a Demo Lesson Interview

What schools look for

• Clear, simple instructions with modeling instead of long explanations
• High student talking time — you guide, they speak
• Positive energy and a friendly, patient manner
• Classroom management: how you set routines and keep everyone involved
• The ability to adapt when something doesn’t go to plan

Structure of a strong demo

1. 1

   Warm-up · 2 min

   Start with a simple question or game that gets everyone speaking.

2. 2

   Present · 3 min

   Introduce one clear target — a phrase, a grammar point, or a vocabulary set.

3. 3

   Practice · 5 min

   Model it, then let learners practice in pairs or with you.

4. 4

   Produce · 3 min

   Give a short task where they use the language on their own.

5. 5

   Wrap-up · 2 min

   Close with a quick check and a positive finish.

Teaching an online demo

• Test your camera, microphone and internet the day before
• Use a clean, bright background and look at the camera, not the screen
• Prepare simple props or slides that work on a small screen
• If there are no students, teach the interviewers as if they were your class

Common interview questions

Expect to be asked why you want to teach abroad, how you handle a disruptive student, and how you would teach a mixed-ability class. Prepare short, concrete stories rather than generic statements.

• Why do you want to teach in this country?
• How would you manage a student who refuses to participate?
• How do you adapt a lesson for different levels?
• Tell us about a lesson that didn’t go well. What did you learn?
• How long do you plan to stay?

Have one example of a lesson that went badly and what you learned from it. Interviewers value self-awareness more than a perfect track record.

Questions to ask the school

An interview works both ways. Asking clear questions shows you are serious — and helps you spot a poor offer before you sign.

• What are the exact teaching hours, and is prep time paid?
• How many students are in a class, and what ages?
• Is housing provided, or is there a monthly allowance?
• When is payday, and how is overtime paid?
• How many paid vacation days are there, and when can they be taken?
• Who pays for the visa, flights and health check?
• Could I speak with a current foreign teacher?

Following up

Send a short thank-you message within 24 hours and restate your interest in the role. It is a small gesture that many candidates forget.

Practice your demo out loud, timed, in front of a mirror or a friend at least twice before the interview.