17 Online English Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

An online English teacher provides English language instruction to students via the internet. Online English teachers typically work for language schools or private tutoring companies. Some may also work independently.

Before you can start teaching English online, you will usually need to complete a training program and pass a test to demonstrate your proficiency in the language. Once you have been hired, you will be expected to teach classes using a video conferencing platform. You may also be asked to provide feedback on students’ written work.

If you are interested in becoming an online English teacher, you will need to be prepared for your job interview. In this guide, we will provide you with a list of online English teacher interview questions and answers to help you get started.

Are you certified to teach English as a second language?

Employers may ask this question to make sure you have the proper certification for teaching English as a second language. If you are not certified, they might want to know if you plan on getting your certification in the future. You can answer honestly about whether or not you have ESL certification and explain why you don’t have it yet.

Example: “I am not currently certified to teach English as a second language. I do plan on taking the necessary classes to get my certification soon though. I understand that having an ESL certification is important for working as an online English teacher.”

What are some of the methods you use to assess your students’ progress?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you measure your students’ success and whether you have a plan for helping them improve. You can answer this question by describing some of the methods you use to assess student progress, including both formal and informal assessments.

Example: “I usually give my students two formal assessments per unit, one at the beginning of the unit and one at the end. I also administer informal assessments throughout each lesson so that I can gauge their understanding of the material as we go along. This helps me identify any areas where they may need more support or additional practice.”

How do you create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. Use examples from past experiences in which you created an effective learning space for students.

Example: “I believe the most important aspect of creating a classroom environment conducive to learning is establishing clear rules and expectations for my students. I always make sure to clearly outline what they can expect from me as their teacher, including when I will respond to messages and how I expect them to behave in class. This helps set up a positive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and sharing ideas.”

What is your experience with using technology in the classroom?

Online English teachers often use technology in the classroom to engage students and provide them with additional resources. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience using technology in a classroom setting. Use your answer to explain which technologies you are familiar with and how they benefit students.

Example: “I am very comfortable using technology in the classroom. In my last position, I used an online learning management system to create engaging lessons for my students. The platform allowed me to upload videos, documents and other resources that helped my students learn new vocabulary words and grammar concepts. It also gave me access to student information so I could communicate with parents about their child’s progress.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to help a student who was struggling.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenging situations and whether you have experience helping students who are struggling with their English skills. Use examples from your previous teaching experiences to highlight your problem-solving, critical thinking and interpersonal skills.

Example: “In my last position as an online English teacher, I had a student who was having difficulty understanding grammar rules. Rather than just explaining the rule, I decided to give them a few exercises that would help them practice the concept. After they completed the exercise, I gave them feedback on what they did well and what areas they could improve on. This helped me connect with the student while also giving them the guidance they needed.”

If a student has a question about a specific topic, how do you ensure that they understand the answer?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you interact with students and ensure they’re learning the material. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you have a strong understanding of teaching methods and strategies.

Example: “If a student has a specific question about a topic, I first make sure they understand what we’ve already covered on the subject. Then, I explain the concept in different ways until I know they understand it. If they still don’t get it after this, I will provide them with additional resources or materials to help them learn more.”

What would you do if you noticed that a student was not actively participating in class?

This question can help an interviewer determine how you handle challenging situations. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to encourage the student to participate more in class and ensure they understand the material.

Example: “If I noticed a student wasn’t participating much in class, I would first ask them if there was anything I could do to make my lessons clearer or easier to understand. If that didn’t work, I would try to find ways to engage the student by asking questions during class that require short answers or simple explanations. This helps students practice speaking English while also ensuring they understand the lesson.”

How well do you know the subject matter that you will be teaching?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of English grammar, spelling and sentence structure. It’s important that you show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of these concepts before they hire you.

Example: “I’ve been teaching English grammar and sentence structure for over five years now, so I feel very confident in my ability to teach students how to write well-structured sentences and paragraphs. In fact, I often use my own writing as an example when explaining complex grammatical rules to my students.”

Do you have any experience working with a team of other teachers?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you might work with their team. If you have experience working in a classroom with other teachers, describe your role and what you enjoyed about it. If you haven’t worked with a team of teachers before, you can talk about any teamwork experiences you’ve had in previous jobs or school projects.

Example: “In my last teaching position, I was one of three English teachers who taught different grade levels. We all met once a week to discuss our lesson plans and student progress. It was helpful to get feedback from my colleagues on my lessons and strategies for engaging students. I also found that having multiple perspectives helped me develop new ideas for my curriculum.”

When working with a diverse group of students, how do you ensure that everyone feels included?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to manage a classroom of students with different backgrounds and needs. Use examples from past experiences to show how you can create an inclusive learning environment for all types of students.

Example: “I have worked with many diverse groups of students in the past, including English language learners and special education students. In my experience, it’s important to make sure that every student feels comfortable asking questions or expressing themselves during class. I try to be as flexible as possible when working with these students so they feel like they can approach me about anything.”

We want to ensure that our students feel comfortable communicating with their teachers. How would you approach a student who was reluctant to speak up in class?

This question can help an interviewer evaluate your communication skills and how you might interact with students who are shy or hesitant to speak up in class. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped a student overcome their reluctance to communicate, and highlight the steps you took to make them feel more comfortable speaking up.

Example: “I’ve had several students who were reluctant to speak up in class. In these situations, I try to encourage them by asking questions that require short answers. This helps me get to know them better and encourages them to participate more often. If they still don’t want to answer my questions, I’ll ask another student for their opinion on the topic at hand.”

Describe your process for preparing for a class.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you organize your time and plan for each class. You can answer this question by describing a typical day before teaching a class, including what materials you use to prepare and how long it takes you to get ready.

Example: “I usually spend about an hour preparing for my classes. I start by reading through any lesson plans or resources that I need to reference during the class. Then, I make sure all of my technology is working properly so I can connect with students in real-time. Finally, I review any student questions from the previous class to ensure I am prepared to answer similar questions again.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for an online teaching position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the position. They want to know what makes you a good fit for their school and how you can help them achieve their goals. Before your interview, make sure you read through the job description thoroughly. Review the skills they’re looking for in an applicant and highlight any of your own that match up with theirs.

Example: “I am passionate about education and helping students succeed. I have always been dedicated to my career as an educator, so when I saw this opportunity, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue. I feel like my experience working with diverse classrooms would be beneficial to your online teaching program. I also think my background in technology could help me integrate new tools into our lessons.”

Which teaching methods do you prefer and why?

This question can help the interviewer determine your teaching style and how you plan lessons. You can answer this question by describing a few of your favorite methods, such as those that are most effective for students or those that you enjoy using in the classroom.

Example: “I prefer to use a variety of teaching methods because I think it’s important to find what works best for each student. In my last role, I used both direct instruction and discovery learning techniques depending on the subject matter and the needs of the class. For example, when teaching grammar rules, I would explain the rule and then have students practice applying it in different ways. When teaching vocabulary words, I would provide an explanation and then give students opportunities to apply their knowledge through games and activities.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of online teaching?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your teaching philosophy. It’s important to show that you value student engagement and interaction in your answer. You can also use this opportunity to discuss any specific techniques or strategies you use to encourage these behaviors.

Example: “I think it’s essential to create an online classroom where students feel comfortable asking questions, sharing their thoughts and participating in discussions. I always make sure to provide my students with plenty of opportunities to interact with me and each other through discussion boards, group chats and video conferencing. This helps them develop their communication skills and gives them a chance to practice using English in real-world situations.”

How often do you think students should complete assignments?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you plan your lessons and manage students’ time. Your answer should show that you consider factors like student age, ability level and class length when planning assignments.

Example: “I think it’s important to give students a variety of assignments so they have different ways to demonstrate their understanding of concepts. I usually assign one or two writing assignments per week, depending on the length of the assignment and the age of the student. For younger students, I may also include some fun activities or games in between assignments to keep them engaged. I find this helps me cover more material while still giving students plenty of practice.”

There is a bug in the software that you’re using for class. What is your process for resolving the issue?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take to resolve the issue and how quickly you would expect to fix it.

Example: “I would first try to find out if there was an update for the software that I could download. If not, then I would contact my supervisor or IT department to see if they had any suggestions. If neither of those options worked, then I would stop using the program until it was fixed. In the meantime, I would use another program to teach class.”