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