Preparing for your Initial Teacher Training interview
We're sharing some guidance videos, resources, and other hints and tips, which we hope will help you to feel really confident.
Your interview will consist of three tasks. Check out each section below to find out more.
1. Five-minute lesson introduction
- You will prepare a lesson introduction for your chosen course, which should last no longer than 5 minutes.
- You may only use the titles on the approved list.
- Please note it’s only an introduction to a lesson. We are not asking for a scaled-down full lesson.
- You will be ‘teaching’ to two NIoT assessors, who will be in role as your students. Be prepared for this. We strongly encourage you to prepare something that allows you to interact with your ‘students.’ Make it fun and engaging and think about how you would best introduce the chosen topic to students who may not know anything about it.
- You may not use PowerPoint or digital whiteboard software in either in-person or online interviews. You may however use any other resources or props you wish, to bring the lesson introduction to life!
- If your interview will be online, we recommend you test out and familiarise yourself with the relevant video-calling platform beforehand.
- We recommend reviewing our Lesson Introduction FAQ document before you begin your planning. See section 1b. for Lesson Introduction advice and guidance.
1a. Lesson introduction assessment criteria
Planning and organisation
An ability to effectively plan and structure the lesson introduction in a way that would achieve positive outcomes for your learners. Clear consideration and use of appropriate resources for supporting the lesson introduction. Evidence of good timekeeping.
Communication
Verbal and non-verbal communication techniques that are clear and effective throughout the task. This will include putting your points across clearly and skillfully whilst maintaining eye contact, using tone and gestures appropriately, and displaying enthusiasm.
Adaptability
Showing that you can respond positively and confidently when things don’t go quite to plan, and get back on track quickly and effectively.
1b. Lesson introduction advice and guidance
To help you prepare your five-minute Lesson Introduction, we’ve made this short film of expert teachers in their classrooms.
Don’t worry - we don’t expect you to already be as skilled as these teachers! Instead, we encourage you to reflect on how these teachers demonstrate planning and organisation, communication, and adaptability.
What might these skills look like in your classroom? How might you demonstrate these same skills in just 5 minutes? What ideas or insights do these teachers give you?
2. Interview questions
- In this section of the interview, we’ll ask a few questions to get to know you a little better. The questions will help us to assess you against the five criteria listed below.
- We’d recommend having a think about these before joining us, and how you can show your passion and enthusiasm for joining our programme.
- Whenever the question asks you to provide a specific example, we recommend using the STAR method.
2a. Interview assessment criteria
Resilience
Evidence of your ability to thrive in high-pressure environments by using appropriate coping strategies. Before your interview, we recommend you try to think of a specific example from your experience that you could talk about.
Self-evaluation
Showing an ability and willingness to reflect on other people’s advice about your practice, and to respond by taking appropriate actions. Before your interview, we recommend you try to think of a specific example from your experience that you could talk about.
Understanding of the role of a teacher
Your ability to identify and effectively reason about the qualities of a good teacher. If appropriate, you might draw on your own personal approach or experience of being taught.
Problem solving
Your ability to tackle everyday problems in a constructive way, and to identify and justify logical solutions to these problems.
Motivation to teach
A clear, compelling, and detailed explanation of your reasons for wanting to enter the teaching profession.
2b. Preparation tips from current trainees
We asked some of our current ITE trainees to remember their own interview at NIoT, and about what tips they would give you as you prepare for your interview.
3. Written assessment
This section of the interview will assess your subject knowledge aligned to the course you have applied for. Please don’t worry too much if you haven’t engaged with your subject for a while, but it’s worth having a review of the content, including looking at the National Curriculum, before you attend.
The assessment will also assess your English proficiency and quality of written communication.
Subject task starters
To help you think about the kinds of questions you might answer in the written assessment, take a look at our programme-specific short starter guides.
Your written assessment will assess just one of our criteria, as detailed below.
You will have 45 minutes to answer exam-type questions on various topics within your subject area; these might include questions about how specific aspects of your subject could be taught effectively.
3a. Written assessment criteria
Subject knowledge
Excellent knowledge of your subject, and an ability to demonstrate this knowledge using proficient English (including spelling, punctuation, and grammar).
English proficiency
Covering areas such as sentence structure, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
Good luck!
We wish you the best of luck for your interview. Keep in mind our four top-tips below, and watch this video for other general tips and reassurance from our NIoT team.
Top tips
Preparation is key
Do some preparation beforehand. Our assessors are friendly, and simply want the opportunity to find out a little more about you, and your potential for becoming a great teacher on our programme.
Be on time
Turn up on time for your interview, and be appropriately dressed. Get the basics right, and the rest will follow.
Pre-interview call
Don’t miss your pre-interview phone call, where a member of our team can support with questions and guidance.
Ask questions
Think about any questions you want to ask us - this is a two-way process. If your assessors are not able to answer your questions on the day, you’ll have a chance to speak to a member of our regional recruitment team after the interview.