Help with demo lesson

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absconditus

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Hi everyone,

Following a recent job interview, I was invited to give a demo lesson. As is mostly the case, I suppose, the hiring staff are going to pose as students. The school did not give any specific instruction except that it should be between 10 and 15 minutes. By asking, I found out that competence levels of starting students range between A2 and B1 (CEFR).

The way I see it, I have two options: either to fully address a simple theme that could lend itself to being taught in 15 minutes; or to partially tackle a more complex topic. At first I was leaning toward the latter, because it would allow the committee to decide how successful I am at breaking down complexity. A much more experienced teacher than I am also advised me to take this route: ‘If I was a hiring manager, I would definitely give you extra points for not choosing something simple.’ I was thinking of doing the difference between the present perfect simple and past simple. But then I thought that such a lesson would have to assume the students are comfortable with a wider range of structures (Affirmative, interrogative and negative structures of both the PP simple and past simple; irregular verbs; WH-questions, strong and weak forms …). It would not go well if, after the lesson, each time the committee asked me why I did not address a certain point, I responded by saying I ‘assumed’ the students had already learnt it.

Now, I am considering going with the first option. I am thinking I could do some/any, gone/been, should/shouldn’t … These subjects require much less background knowledge and can fit a 15-minute time frame.

Here are my questions:

  1. If you were in my place, which option would you go for?
  2. Could you suggest some additional topics?

Any general advice would also be highly appreciated.

Many thanks,
absconditus
 

BobK

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Keep it simple. Even your simpler option sounds a bit complex. 15 minutes is not long at all. And whatever you do. don't think of talking for 15 minutes.
Good luck;')

b
 

absconditus

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Keep it simple. Even your simpler option sounds a bit complex. 15 minutes is not long at all. And whatever you do. don't think of talking for 15 minutes.
Good luck;')

b

Thanks BobK. Deciding on a topic and finiding a solid engagement activity are the most difficult, and therefore most time-consuming parts of the lesson-planning process for me. Would you suggest some options (A2-B1)?


Sincerely,
absconditus
 

Tdol

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I think that doing something simple makes sense, You have been asked to teach a 15-minute lesson, so making a lesson that deals with something that can be covered in that time shows good classroom management IMO.
 
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