Let’s do Interview Practice for Admission
Are you nervous about the English admission interviews for International Schools? It can be a lot to think about, and it can seem like a stressful experience, especially for parents that are not as confident with English. But don’t worry, Tutor Japan can help you and your family prepare for your interviews!
What’s the best way to prepare for these interviews?
Here’s What to Expect in an Admission Interview
Many International Schools in Tokyo hold admission interviews in October and November. Some schools will have interviews with both the parents and the student applying, while others, depending on the entry grade, interview only the prospective student or only the parents. Interviews mostly take place in person at the school, but are occasionally held online, especially for families located overseas. Admission interviews can vary depending on the school and grade of entry, but most follow a similar pattern. Here is a general overview of what parents and children should expect.
For Parents
Usually, the questions that schools ask parents follow a set pattern, regardless of what grade a child is applying for. Schools want to know more about your family, so the interviewer will ask questions about how your family spends time together, the parents’ international experience, and your child’s personality. Your family’s answers to these questions help the school make a decision if your child should be granted an admission spot. To decide if the parents match the school, interviewers will ask questions to learn about the family’s educational values. Here, it’s important to talk about how you resonate with the school’s values and their views on education. Parents will also have to answer questions about their child’s personality and development, for example “What are your child’s strengths and weaknesses?” or “What is your child’s English environment like?”
Admissions interviews can be as short as 15 minutes, so it is essential you use your time efficiently to highlight why your family is a good fit for the school. At the end of each interview, families will also have a chance to ask questions to the interviewers. Tutor Japan recommends that families ask at least one question to the school, to show your interest in the school and also showcase that you have done your research. It’s better to be specific with your question rather than asking something that you could easily find on the website. For example you could about the school bus system, ask about extracurricular activities, or ask about how the school would deal with your child who has allergies.
For Your Child
During the interview, students will be assessed on more than just the content of their answers. For example, assessors will look at how the child behaves in a new environment. Schools are looking for students who can sitting down properly, who have good attitude towards answering questions, and can interact comfortable with the teacher who will likely be an unfamiliar face. Importantly, students need to pays attention and engage with the teacher who asks the questions. When answering questions, the emphasis is not on giving the perfect answer, but on engaging in the conversation. Another factor that interviewers are looking for is the student’s independence. If your child always looks to their parents for answers, or has a hard time leaving their parents side, it leaves an impression of immaturity. It is important to prepare academically for interviews, but social skills like mentioned above are just as important!
Some example questions for children:
- What do you do for fun?
- What is your favorite food?
- Do you have any brothers or sisters?
At Tutor Japan we offer interview practice sessions, including sample questions and answers, so families can know to what extend students are expected to be able to reply to the questions.
Sample question and answer for parents.
Sample question and answer for child.
Additionally, some school admission interviews include hands-on activities. These simple activities showcase student’s skills and abilities, and also shed a light on what areas might require further attention. One common activity is an exercise where students draw or color according to the teacher’s instructions. The children will receive a paper, and follow the interviewer’s instructions and color accordingly, for example “Color the firefighter’s right foot yellow,” or “Color the hat green.” Other activities involve counting objects on the table. Children might also be expected to organize objects according to color or size categories, and to talk about their other characteristics. All of these activities show both the child’s abilities, and how they interact with the teacher during the activity. Children are encouraged to ask questions for clarification if needed.
Sample Hands-On Activity Material
On the Day of the Interview
On the interview day, what’s the best way to prepare my child? Especially for early interview appointments, we recommend that in the days leading up to the interview, your child gets used to waking up early. It’s important to have a proper breakfast for them to feel strengthened, and have sufficient energy to tackle the day. To avoid extra nerves at the interview, it is also helpful for the children to spend some time outdoors so they don’t feel too tired or nervous in the new environment at the school. Lastly, if your family has a chance to visit the school grounds before the interview, this can help your child to familiarize themselves with the environment.
How to Prepare with Tutor Japan?
Tutor Japan offers Interview Practice Lessons, where one of our specialists will hold a mock interview with either just the parents, or with the whole family. The tutor will play the role of the school principal, and ask the most common interview questions to let families practice their responses. Tutor Japan also provides sample questions and answers for both parents and the child, so you can continue to study at home.
Book an interview practice lesson to prepare for your upcoming admission interviews!