A Speed-Date style Interview

Last Friday morning, I went for a second round of interviewing at 新东方 (New Oriental), one of China’s largest foreign language schools, as I hope to start working a couple of hours a week and then complete my internship there in the Spring (focusing on the business side of running a school, contacting parents, recruiting students, etc). The first time I went for an interview it was typical of foreigners wanting to teach in China. They invited me in to teach a class, almost completely unprepared. I personally thought it was a huge failure, but my handler Queenie said I did fine. For this second round though, there would be many teachers present. I took this to mean there would be many teachers present in the class I would be teaching, but it actually meant I would be teaching a classroom full of teachers! I prepared a simple lesson on weather that basically included about ten vocabulary words and a song with a funny dance—the kids are only six and barely understand a word. I arrived early to prepare and patiently awaited the moment the clock struck ten. Queenie led me downstairs to the classroom and I found there were many Chinese teachers all sitting in desks and one was standing up teaching a lesson on family, holding up a picture of a woman and repeatedly saying “mommy”. After just a few moments, one very professional and cold looking woman who was sitting in the back holding a grade sheet interrupted her. “That’s enough. Do you have anything else?” she said. The teacher quickly explained the rest of her plan in Chinese and sat down. Another teacher stood up and began the “mommy” chant as well but in a slightly different fashion. She drew pictures. It continued this way until the other foreigner who was interviewing that day as well arrived and then we began our little performance. I went first and once I finished guiding the class in a little song and dance, the cold woman asked me how I would teach a dialogue to these children who barely understand English and cannot recognize the alphabet. I explained that the lyrics in the song formed a question and answer dialogue that the children could memorize, although it was admittedly very simple. I replied in Chinese, so I think that impressed her. At the very least it wiped the smirk off her face. I think it also helped that the other guy had no idea what he was supposed to do and arrived without a lesson to teach. Once he finished we were escorted to another room where they explained a couple things, and then I was told that I should come back next week to do this again. Apparently, New Oriental hiring policy, as a way to ensure that potential hires are committed, requires the multiple rounds of “practice teaching”. And, the last “Kevin” they hired ran out on them, so they just want to “make sure”. (No, really. They said that.)