EFL Teacher Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

Applying for a EFL Teacher job in the UK? Here is what you are likely to be asked. These questions come from our EFL Teacher question bank of 12 questions, written for UK employers at mid-level level.

Eight EFL Teacher interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. How would you structure a lesson to teach a new grammar point, such as the present perfect, to a B1 class?

Why they ask: They want to see that you can plan a coherent, communicative lesson rather than just explain rules.

2. What teaching qualifications do you hold, and how did CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL or a similar course shape the way you teach?

Why they ask: Most UK language schools require a recognised Level 5 certificate, so they need to understand your training and how you apply it.

3. How do you use the CEFR levels in your teaching, and how would you tell whether a new student is A2 or B1?

Why they ask: Schools use the Common European Framework for placement, planning and reporting, so you need to apply it accurately.

4. How do you correct errors in a speaking activity without damaging fluency or confidence?

Why they ask: Error correction is one of the most closely observed skills for a language teacher.

5. You are teaching a multilingual class and two students from the same country keep speaking their first language during pair work. What would you do?

Why they ask: They are testing classroom management and how you encourage English use without being punitive.

6. Tell me about a time you adapted a lesson on the spot because it wasn't working.

Why they ask: Experienced teachers read the room and adapt rather than following a plan blindly.

7. What is the difference between Presentation-Practice-Production and a task-based approach, and when would you use each?

Why they ask: They are checking you understand methodology beyond the one approach you were trained on.

8. Why do you want to teach English as a foreign language, and what makes a really good EFL teacher?

Why they ask: They want to confirm genuine commitment and an understanding of the role beyond travel.

A sample answer to question 1

How would you structure a lesson to teach a new grammar point, such as the present perfect, to a B1 class?

I would start with a short context that shows the language in use, perhaps a listening about someone's travel experiences, so learners notice the form before I name it. Then I would clarify meaning, form and pronunciation: concept-check questions like 'Do we know exactly when she went?', a timeline on the board, and drilling the weak forms of 'have' in connected speech. Controlled practice comes next, such as gap-fills or a matching task, followed by freer practice where learners interview each other about experiences they have had. I would monitor throughout, note errors and good language, and give delayed feedback at the end. With B1 learners the common problem is confusing it with the past simple, so I would contrast the two directly. I might use a test-teach-test approach with a stronger group, letting them attempt the task first and then focusing on what they actually need.

Common mistake to avoid: Teaching rules for most of the lesson; Forgetting to check understanding before moving on

Want the rest?

Full model answers, key points and common mistakes for all 12 questions are on the EFL Teacher interview questions page. The first five are free, no sign-up needed.