Describe a time when you had to modify your lesson plan on short notice.

Sample answer to the question

I had to modify my lesson plan on short notice during my time as an ESL teacher at ABC Language School. It was during a speaking activity where students were supposed to do a group discussion. However, one of the students suddenly became ill and had to leave the class. This disrupted the group dynamic and I had to think quickly to adjust the plan. I decided to reorganize the remaining students into pairs and gave them a different task that focused on individual speaking practice. I quickly formulated new prompts and distributed them to the pairs. This adjustment allowed the class to continue smoothly without any major disruptions.

A more solid answer

During my time as an ESL teacher at ABC Language School, I encountered a situation where I had to modify my lesson plan on short notice. It was a reading comprehension lesson, and I had prepared a set of discussion questions for the students to engage in after reading a passage. However, due to unexpected technical difficulties, the projector in the classroom stopped working. This meant that I couldn't display the questions as planned. Instead of panicking, I quickly adapted by distributing printed copies of the questions to each student. I then divided the class into smaller groups to facilitate discussion. This modification allowed the class to continue smoothly, and the students were still able to engage in meaningful conversation and practice their reading comprehension skills.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer provides more specific details about the situation where the candidate had to modify their lesson plan. It demonstrates their flexibility and adaptability by quickly finding an alternative solution when faced with unexpected technical difficulties. However, there is still room for improvement by giving more examples of the candidate's problem-solving skills and communication abilities.

An exceptional answer

As an experienced ESL teacher, I have encountered numerous instances where I had to modify my lesson plan on short notice. One memorable example was during a grammar lesson on verb tenses. I had prepared a variety of exercises for the students to practice different verb forms, but when I entered the classroom, I realized that the internet was down and I couldn't access the online resources I had planned to use. Without wasting time, I utilized the whiteboard and wrote out the exercises by hand. I then divided the class into pairs and assigned each pair a different exercise to work on together. This not only allowed the students to practice the verb tenses effectively but also encouraged peer teaching and collaboration. Additionally, I utilized my strong communication skills to explain the changes to the students and ensure they understood the revised plan. Despite the unexpected setback, the lesson was a success, and the students actively engaged in the activities.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer showcases the candidate's extensive experience and ability to handle challenging situations. It demonstrates their problem-solving skills by quickly adapting to the unexpected internet outage and finding an alternative way to deliver the lesson. The answer also highlights the candidate's strong communication skills in effectively explaining the changes to the students. Overall, the answer provides a comprehensive example that aligns with the desired skills and responsibilities outlined in the job description.

How to prepare for this question

Be familiar with various teaching methods and resources to easily adapt when necessary.
Develop problem-solving skills to think quickly and find alternative solutions on short notice.
Practice clear and effective communication to ensure students understand any modifications to the lesson plan.
Stay organized and have contingency plans in place to handle potential disruptions.

What interviewers are evaluating

Flexibility
Adaptability
Problem-solving
Communication