With the new school year just around the corner, recruitment cycles for ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers) across Japan are nearly complete. However, there are still last-minute ALT positions available. If you’re one of the candidates preparing for an interview, you’ll likely be asked to deliver a demo lesson, which can feel like the most challenging part of the process. In this guide, we go over some tips to ace your English teacher demo lesson. While this list isn’t exhaustive, it will offer practical advice to help you succeed in your interview.
Positivity: The Key to Making a Lasting Impression
It may sound cliché, but a positive attitude can go a long way in an interview. Recruiters aren’t just looking for skilled teachers—they also want candidates who will fit in well with the classroom environment. Your personality is just as important as your teaching ability.
During your demo, be warm, outgoing, and sincere. Even if the scenario you’re asked to demonstrate seems far from ideal—such as teaching a classroom of rowdy kids in front of a stern group of recruiters—keep a positive, flexible attitude.
Dress to Impress
Your attire can leave a lasting impression on your interviewers. For men, wear a well-fitted suit (preferably black), a white shirt, and a conservative tie (no cartoon characters!). For women, a business suit or professional outfit with a plain top is ideal.
Keep in mind that Japan has a strong sense of professionalism, and your attire should reflect that. If you’re interviewing in the summer, a full suit may not be practical, but it’s still essential to look polished and professional.
Also, be cautious with fragrances. Japanese culture is sensitive to strong smells, so avoid heavy perfumes or colognes.
Planning is Crucial
One of the most important aspects of your demo lesson is preparation. Typically, you will receive a language point or vocabulary to teach ahead of time. Use this opportunity to plan thoroughly—don’t attempt to “wing it.”
Create a minute-by-minute lesson plan, ensuring it includes the following steps:
- Introduce the language: Clearly explain what students will learn.
- Set a logical context: Show a real-life situation where the language will be used.
- Present and practice the language: Engage students in practicing the new vocabulary or grammar.
- Check comprehension: Use an activity or exercise to ensure students understand.
If possible, prepare teaching materials, such as flashcards or games. This demonstrates to the recruiters that you are serious about the job and have put thought into your preparation.
Tip: While using realia (real-life objects) can be fun in a full class, it’s often not practical for a short demo lesson.
Keep Teacher Talk Time (TTT) to a Minimum
During your 5-minute demo, avoid talking too much. The goal is to allow the “students” (the interviewers) to practice the language you’re teaching. Try to keep Teacher Talk Time (TTT) at 50% or less. The remaining time should be spent on student practice and activities. This not only keeps your demo engaging but also shows that you understand effective teaching methods. Be sure to provide clear feedback and correction when necessary.
Avoid Using Japanese
While it might seem tempting to sprinkle in some Japanese to show off your language skills, do not use Japanese during your demo lesson. This is generally considered a red flag by recruiters. The demo is an opportunity to showcase your English teaching abilities, so keep the lesson entirely in English.
If you’re asked to introduce yourself in Japanese before or after the lesson, that’s your chance to use your Japanese skills. If you’re not confident in your Japanese, consider scripting this introduction ahead of time.
Speak Slowly
Speaking slowly and clearly can help your audience follow your lesson easily, which is especially important in a non-native English-speaking context. By speaking at a moderate pace, you also have time to think and respond appropriately to any questions or feedback. Aim for a neutral accent, as this is often preferred by Japanese recruiters. If your accent is strong, try to simplify your language and enunciate each word carefully.
By following these five tips, you’ll be well on your way to acing your English demo lesson. Best of luck with your interview, and feel free to share your experiences or thoughts in the comments below!
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You started numbering the points but stopped at 2 🙂 +1 the last point: SPEAK SLOWLY. Even if you gauge that the students can understand (and would appreciate) more natural english your instructor might cite your increased speed as nervousness and mark down your score. I had this happen to me once and I wanted to flip a desk.
Oops, Thanks for pointing that out 🙂
Yes youre right about the slow speaking. That really is so important. Especially if, like me, you have quite a strong accent.
Hi Liam. Not sure if you mentioned this already but is there someone who’s going to play the part of the student or students? I’m not sure what I should do if I finished delivering the content in 2 minutes and still ‘teaching’ when I’m suppose to let the students practice and the five faces just sit there.
Hi Ronald,
What you should do during this time is have the students do an activity. Maybe a card game or something to practice what you have taught them. Your rolate this time is to monitor the students, support them and correct any mistakes they might make. Good luck
Hi! This comment is actually for one of your blog entries (which I can’t seem to find anywhere 🙁 ) about teaching in Japan, where you mentioned about some of the things new English teachers need to watch out for when they go to Japan. I am currently awaiting the results of an application, and the company I applied to said that the monthly rent for a single occupancy apartment would be around 55,000 yen, and that it would be automatically deducted from my salary should they hire me. I wanted to ask whether the price they quoted is fair, and that if that kind of thing is normal practice for Eikaiwa schools. Thank you very much in advance! ^_^
Hi, 55,000 is quite reasonable. I assume you’re not going to be working in a big city, because in Tokyo you could be looking at 70 or 80,000 per month.
I currently pay 80,000 in Osaka, but thats for a 2 bedroom place with a sea view 🙂
Thank you! That’s really helpful ^_^
Thank you! That puts me at ease 🙂
Here’s the link you were probably looking for. http://blog.gaijinpot.com/avoiding-the-pitfalls-of-english-teacher-contracts/
Thank you! ^_^
Glad to hear i could help 🙂 Hope the demo went well.
I really enjoyed this article- even though I am unlikely to actually need it, reading about the process was fascinating!
Thanks, im glad you enjoyed it.
Lalalala…don’t mind me. Bookmarking for early next year. 😀
Lots of good stuff here for you next year. 😉
http://blog.gaijinpot.com/tag/teaching-in-japan/
I wonder why I shouldn’t use Japanese? Isn’t it better for children if I teach them in their mother language? I’m rather proud of my Japanese and I don’t see myself speaking English all the time during lesson…
9 times out of 10 you will be paired with a Japanese teacher in the classroom. It is there job to explain what you say in Japanese. And actually most studies show that total immersion in the language is the best way to become proficient. By all means use your Japanese to talk with your colleagues outside of class. But in the classroom i strongly recommend not speaking japanese. Whether we agree with it or not, this is the prevailing methodology in Japanese schools now, and as an employee in that school system you will be expected to follow established protocol in this regard.
Great advice, particularly the “don’t talk too” much one.
You have to remember that you’re being hired to help people speak English, not deliver monologues about the importance of (insert relatively mundane grammar point here).
Thats it exactly Stephen, ive seen so many teachers who could really make good ALTs mess up on the interview because they talk too much. The combination of being nervous and also overly enthusiastic also compels us to talk too much from time to time.
It sure .tf does 😉