| When a ESL TEFL TESOL school searches for a | | | | about selling yourself and the best way to do this |
| new teacher for an open ESL/ TEFL TESOL | | | | is by identifying what the employer (i.e the school) |
| teaching position, they already have an image of | | | | wants. |
| the teacher they want. Every school has certain | | | | The following is an abbreviated list of |
| qualities they feel a teacher must have to be | | | | characteristics posted by a teacher in response to |
| successful. Those qualities can be many things | | | | a UNICEF request to "What makes a Good |
| depending on the needs and location of the school. | | | | Teacher?": |
| While the qualities that each school considers | | | | Positive - The teacher thinks positively and |
| important may vary, there are usually shared | | | | enthusiastically about people and what they are |
| qualities that all schools would consider important | | | | capable of becoming. Sees the good in any |
| to the job. | | | | situation and can move forward to make the |
| The experience or background of a teacher is the | | | | most of difficult situations when confronted with |
| most important quality a school looks for so your | | | | obstacles. Encourages others to also be positive. |
| resume should highlight the qualities they are | | | | Dependable - The teacher is honest and authentic |
| looking for. If they are looking for an ESL TEFL | | | | in working with others. Consistently lives up to |
| TESOL teacher for kindergarten students, it may | | | | commitments to students and others. Works with |
| be best to highlight lessons that contain activities | | | | them in an open, honest, and forthright manner. |
| that you have initiated and prepared at your | | | | Organized - The teacher makes efficient use of |
| previous schools. In addition, if you are looking at | | | | time and moves in a planned and systematic |
| a position for a content subject such as science | | | | direction. Knows where he or she is heading and is |
| or math, highlight your knowledge and education | | | | able to help students in their own organization and |
| (i.e. degree) in that area. This is especially | | | | planning. Can think in terms of how organization |
| important if you are a new teacher with little or | | | | can be beneficial to those served. |
| no experience. Regardless, you should also have all | | | | Committed - The teacher demonstrates |
| academic qualifications available for the school to | | | | commitment to students and the profession and |
| preview before you go for an interview. Most | | | | is self-confident, poised and personally in control of |
| schools want to review the qualifications prior to | | | | situations. Has a healthy self-image. Encourages |
| hiring or considering applicants for a teaching | | | | students to look at themselves in a positive |
| position and will sometimes pass on teachers who | | | | manner, careful to honor the self-respect of the |
| don't submit these items for review when | | | | students, while encouraging them to develop a |
| applying. Each TESL TEFOL TESOL school is | | | | positive self-concept. |
| unique so the best thing would be to have a | | | | Motivational - The teacher is enthusiastic with |
| cover letter that speaks to that school and the | | | | standards and expectations for students and self. |
| teaching job they are looking to fill. Don't just | | | | Understands the intrinsic motivations of individuals, |
| have a blanket letter and resume that you mass | | | | and knows what it is that motivates students. |
| mail to any potential school looking for a teacher | | | | Takes action in constructive ways. |
| in the hopes of gaining employment. It may be | | | | Compassionate - The teacher is caring, |
| beneficial to have a list of professional highlights | | | | empathetic and able to respond to people at a |
| that you can copy and paste into a cover letter | | | | feeling level. Open with personal thoughts and |
| based on the requirements of the position. | | | | feelings, encouraging others to do likewise. Knows |
| Another important consideration for schools is the | | | | and understands the feelings of students. |
| personal qualities of a teacher. Most schools are | | | | Flexible - The teacher is willing to alter plans and |
| looking for a long term commitment from a | | | | directions in a manner which assists people in |
| teacher so they want to make sure that teacher | | | | moving toward their goals. Seeks to reason out |
| will fit within their school. The obvious qualities that | | | | situations with students and staff in a manner |
| come to mind are personable, positive and flexible | | | | that allows all people to move forward in a |
| patient because these qualities will carry over into | | | | positive direction. |
| the classroom and interaction with your future | | | | Knowledgeable - The teacher is in a constant |
| students. In addition, the school will look at a | | | | quest for knowledge. Keeps up in his or her |
| teacher's qualities with regards to their | | | | specialty areas, and has the insight to integrate |
| professionalism because there is much that is | | | | new knowledge. Takes knowledge and translates |
| required outside of the classroom such as | | | | it to students in a way which is comprehensible to |
| preparing lessons, creating worksheets and tests | | | | them, yet retains its originality. |
| and the always popular grading of assignments. In | | | | Creative - The teacher is versatile, innovative, |
| other words, they will want a teacher that is | | | | and open to new ideas. Strives to incorporate |
| organized and committed. If they feel that the | | | | techniques and activities that enable students to |
| teacher can't be depended on, they may not | | | | have unique and meaningful new growth |
| consider them a viable candidate. One of the | | | | experiences. |
| things that may highlight a teacher's lack of | | | | Patient - The teacher is deliberate in coming to |
| commitment is a resume that shows numerous | | | | conclusions. Strives to look at all aspects of the |
| ESL TEFL TESOL teaching jobs held over a short | | | | situation and remains highly fair and objective |
| period of time. Remember that you will not be | | | | under most difficult circumstances. Believes that |
| judged strictly by your qualifications but on the | | | | problems can be resolved if enough input and |
| sum of who you are as an individual. | | | | attention is given by people who are affected. |
| The factors that go into a school's decision to | | | | You can also practice answers to typical teacher |
| accept a teacher are varied and many so it is | | | | interview questions like the ones on the following |
| impossible to cover them all. Regardless, cover | | | | sites: |
| the basics looked for in any teacher for any | | | | Virginia Polytechnic Institute: career.vt.edu |
| teaching job and then identify the unique | | | | JOBSEARC/interview/TEACHER.htm |
| characteristics or qualifications of a particular | | | | Resumes for Teachers: |
| position. Remember that looking for a teaching | | | | resumes-for-teachers.com/interview-questions. |
| job, like many other employment searches, is | | | | |