Going for a Postgraduate teacher training interview

Congratulations, you've been invited to interview for teacher training. The following are some tips for interviews for both courses in Ireland and the UK.

What happens at a PGCE interview day?

Your invitation to interview will outline the activities expected of you during the day, which could last 3-4 hours and include:

• individual interview
• presentation or demonstration lesson
• group task / discussion / interview
• written test (usually only for primary)
• subject specific practical (usually only for secondary) - e.g., music audition, sports activity

Call in to the Career Development Centre to read the following publications for more help on going for teaching interviews:

• Applying for a PGCE (AGCAS)
• Targetjobs Teaching

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Individual Interviews 

The interviewer will have a set series of questions that they ask of each candidate, however information that you have provided as part of your application will also be taken into account i.e.,

• Qualifications
• Necessary personal qualities
• Hobbies
• Jobs, voluntary work
• References
• Reasons for wanting to teach
• GTTR form - spelling, grammar, neatness, style
• Personal statement which may show your awareness of educational issues

Some sample PGCE questions:

• Examine this rock - how would you develop lessons on it?
• Go outside the classroom - re-enter as if you are returning to a noisy class
• Read this story - suggest ways it could be used to teach aspects of the curric.
• What do you think of national testing at age 7
• Why didn’t you do a B. Ed?
• Why UK? 

Irish primary teaching postgrads specifically state that they are looking for some key competencies when interviewing candidates. They* want to see evidence of:

• Communication skills
• Your motivation and suitability to teach
• Relevant talents and aptitudes
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills

*ref: St Patricks College Drumcondra who also have guidelines on their website regarding how the Irish oral is graded.

How to prepare:

Develop your ideas on...

• Why you want to teach
• Personal qualities that make you suitable
• Why students would want to study your subject
• Your own school experiences
• Your degree course and its relevance
• Your experience in schools and with children.
• Your potential contribution to school, outside teaching
• Your opinions on issues - curriculum, GCSE, multiculture, mixed ability classes, special needs.

Think about questions you want to ask, such as...

• Teacher training placements
• Assessment
• Opportunities to do special projects
• Employment prospects
• Opportunities to meet potential employers

Student experiences:

Student 1 - PGCE primary

Short exam at start – 20mins to write about: Why you want to teach, what qualities you have, what is the importance of the national curriculum, any questions you have to ask the interviewer.
Interview:
Why do you want to be a teacher?
What qualities do you have that you bring to teaching?
Why did you pick this institution?
Why did you do your primary degree in Arts and then decide on teaching?
What do you think should be on the walls of a classroom? Why?
Would you bring your class on a fieldtrip? Why?
What points should you consider on a fieldtrip?

Student 2: PGCE Secondary French:

two literacy tests first, presentation and interview.
Interview:
Many 'usual questions' as well as about experience in schools 
Tell me a bit about yourself
How would you go about introducing new vocabulary to 14 year olds
Views on the UK curriculum
How would you entice 14 year old to continue with French until A-levels because it is now optional.

Student 3: PGCE Geography:

written test and interview.
Given page from Geography text and asked to describe how I would teach it and whether I would word it differently.

Student 5: PGCE Primary

A short spelling test, and literature test whereby we had to summarise a reading and reflect it to our work experience.
Then divided into groups of 4 or 5, we had to read a short piece from a book we had chosen.
The questions asked were;
- Why do you want to be a teacher?
- What makes a good teacher?
- What is safeguarding?
- How would you link your specialism subject from your degree to your teaching?

If you would like to give us feedback on your teaching interview, please contact us ( careersnuigalway.ie).

Presentations

Usually only a few minutes long, these can either be on a subject of your choice or a mock lesson.

Why do this? This shows the interviewers how you communicate in a teaching situation, do you get the point across, is there a structure to your presentation (introduction, main points, summary/conclusion). Speak clearly and slowly and pay close attention to your body language - constantly turning your back to your audience to read slides is not something you want to do here.

Group Task / discussions / interviews

These are designed to test interpersonal and teamwork skills by assessing how you relate with other candidates by giving the group a topic or case study to discuss or a puzzle to solve. The group may be leaderless or a chairperson may be nominated.

Students are usually advised:

• To assess the traits associated with teaching and use this time to show that you have them
• Do not remain silent or non-participative
• While taking part in the discussion or task, ensure you are polite to other candidates, listen to their opinions fully without interrupting, but make sure you offer your own opinions/ideas
• Remember, your interviewers want to see how you work in a team and although leaderships skills are vital to the role you can demonstrate these without dominating the task/discussion.

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Useful links

TDA interview - online interactive help for applicants of PGCE courses

Prospects: PGCE interviews

St Patricks College Drumcondra: Interview criteria and Irish oral criteria

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