Interactive format in learning English from Language Center: Mock Interview for job interviews

For third-year students of AlmaU, the intermediate exam in Business English was held in the format of an interactive role-playing game - Mock interview (trial interview). A trial interview was held on December 9 and 13, 2019. The representatives of the university were teachers and employees of the university played the role of a company representatives and  conducted a five-minute trial interview. The organizers chose a very interesting format of work - a panel interview. Two interviewees were interviewed by one interviewer at a time.

The goal is to provide third-year students of all specialties with the opportunity to practice communication skills, thereby bringing the situation as close as possible to a real interview when applying for a job.

These two days of role-playing helped students master all formats and varieties of interviews with representatives of employers in their future profession. Of course, students practiced business English skills. In short, practical exercises of this kind are uniquely useful and necessary for students.

Some students attended this kind of event for the first time. Accordingly, a conversation with a company representative for them was the first experience and quite successful. Students managed to "open up", they got into the role, and learned to listen to the interviewer and correctly answer professional questions. Such mastery lessons are necessary for each of them, so they learn to listen to themselves and each other. Because the analysis of the role-playing game allows the organizers to clearly understand what has been done and what needs to be worked on.

Every student interviewed had a resume in English and a cover letter.

It is important to note that the list of “prospective employers” included:

• Air Astana
• Ernst & Young Global Limited (EY)
• Mars
• Coca cola
• UN in Kazakhstan

An applicant was evaluated on two aspects - non-verbal communication skills (eye contact, dress code, readiness and confidence) and verbal communication (speech structure and accuracy of response) in a trial interview. Every aspect had its own criteria. This score was 50% of the mid-term exam, and the remaining 50% was evaluated by a language instructor.

Interview questions included the following:

About the beginning of work

Vision of his career growth

About actions in different situations at work and in the team. For example,

• Tell us about yourself.
• Strengths?
• Weaknesses?
• Why do you want to get a job?
• Where would you see yourself in five years?
• What should be your ideal company?
• What attracted you to this company?
• Why should we hire you?
• What did you like least about your previous job?

We especially note that careful preparation by the students for a trial interview was noticeable. Outside the classroom, students shared that this approach taught them the correct self-presentation, ask questions and respond to them during the interview.

The staff and management of Language Center AlmaU have begun introducing a useful interactive format in learning a foreign language. We wish the Center further development!