Tops tips for a successful teacher education interview

Teaching is an exciting and rewarding profession. It’s somewhere you can make a real difference to young people’s lives. At Sheffield Hallam University, you can train to be a teacher for any age-phase from early years to post-16.

For entry to our courses, you will do an interview and a short teaching task. If that makes you anxious, please don’t worry! With the right preparation, you can stand out as a confident and committed candidate. Here’s how to make a great impression.

The interview is an important part of the application process for a teacher education course. You’ll be interviewed by experienced lecturers. They’ll understand that you’ll feel nervous, and they’ll aim to put you at ease. The purpose of the interview isn’t to catch you out. It’s to find your potential for teaching.

2. Show awareness of current issues

Education is always changing. Be ready to discuss topics like:

• Inclusive teaching
• The curriculum relevant to your chosen age-phase
• Technology in the classroom

You don’t need to be an expert, but awareness shows you’re engaged and interested.

3. Demonstrate good communication skills

Teaching is about communication. You’ll naturally be nervous but try to communicate clearly with the interviewer and pay close attention to the questions.

4. Highlight relevant experience

Draw on your personal experiences: volunteering, tutoring, working with children. Explain what you’ve learned and how it will help you as a trainee teacher. Even non-teaching roles, such as retail or hospitality work, can demonstrate transferable skills like teamwork and resilience.

5. Ask thoughtful questions

Prepare one or two questions for the end of the interview, such as:

• What support do trainees receive during placements?
• Are we supported for teaching in diverse classrooms?

The second part of the application process is the teaching task. This usually lasts 4-5 minutes. The requirements vary depending on the age phase and/or subject specialism you’ve applied for. You may be asked to teach your interviewer a skill. You should:

• Use clear instructions
• Let your interviewer know what they will be learning
• Involve them in the learning.

Previous examples have included teaching some words from a foreign language, how to serve a tennis ball, how to use sign language, and how to juggle!

We’ll consider your potential to be a good teacher, so we’ll evaluate your communication skills, how you deliver the learning, and the preparation that you’ve undertaken. And remember, we want you to succeed. So, go for it!