Contextualization

Interviews are a crucial part of many areas of life, from the admission process to a school or university, to job interviews that will determine our careers. They allow us to express our skills, talents, and experiences in a personal way, enabling us to stand out. However, the ability to conduct and participate in an interview effectively is a skill that needs to be constantly developed and practiced.

The interview is a form of communication that involves at least two people - the interviewer and the interviewee. During an interview, the interviewer asks specific questions to obtain information from the interviewee. The questions are designed to find out if the interviewee has the skills and competencies required for the position or vacancy in question.

Understanding the aspects of an interview is vital for students who are starting to prepare for the academic and professional world. It is also an excellent tool to help students develop their English communication skills.

Introduction

In this project, we will explore the various aspects of an interview. We will start by understanding the purpose of an interview and the different types of interviews. Then, we will focus on how to prepare questions for an interview, how to answer questions during an interview, and finally, how to follow up after the interview.

Each aspect of an interview involves communication skills, planning, organization, and time management. Additionally, a good interviewer should be able to create a comfortable environment for the interviewee in order to get the best possible answers. Similarly, a good interviewee should know how to present their ideas clearly and concisely.

In this globalized world, where English is the lingua franca, it becomes increasingly important to be able to conduct and participate in interviews in English. This project will provide students with the opportunity to practice their English skills while learning about the aspects of an interview.

References:

• Understand what an interview is and how to prepare for it - Catho
• Interview: 6 types and how to prepare for each of them! - Gupy

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Interviews: Through the Lens of Language"

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to provide students with the opportunity to explore, understand, and apply the various aspects of an interview while enhancing their English communication skills.

Detailed Project Description

In this project, students will work in groups of 3 to 5 people. Each group will be responsible for organizing and conducting a fictional interview, which should last between fifteen to twenty minutes.

The groups will choose a theme of interest, which can be related to a profession, a hobby, a current topic, or any other topic they find interesting. Each group will have to prepare the interviewer and the interviewee, develop interview questions and follow-up questions, and finally conduct the interview.

Students will be encouraged to use their creativity to create realistic interview scenarios and situations. Additionally, they will be encouraged to use supporting materials such as notes, graphics, slide presentations, and any other resources that may facilitate the interview.

The interview must be conducted entirely in English. Therefore, students will need to familiarize themselves with common terms and expressions used in English interviews.

Required Materials

• Paper and pen to write down interview questions and follow-up questions.
• Digital resources (optional): computer, presentation software, camera, and microphone for recording.
• English dictionary for reference.

Step by Step

1. Students will form groups of 3 to 5 people.

2. Each group will choose a theme of interest for their interview.

3. The groups will prepare the interview script, which should include a detailed description of the interview scenario, the list of questions, and the expected answers.

4. The groups will choose a member to act as the interviewer and another(s) to act as the interviewee(s). The rest of the group will assist in the preparation and conduct of the interview.

5. Each group will conduct the interview, which must be done entirely in English. Students may choose to record the interview for later review.

6. After the interview, the groups will conduct a critical analysis of the interview, evaluating the effectiveness of the interview, the quality of the questions, the clarity and relevance of the answers, the fluency, and the accuracy of English language use.

Project Deliverables

The deliverables of this project will include:

1. Interview script: This document should contain the description of the interview scenario, the list of questions, and the expected answers. The script must be delivered before the interview takes place.

2. Interview video: Groups may choose to record the interview, which should be presented as part of the project deliverables.

3. Written report: This document will be a detailed analysis of the interview. It should address the following topics:

• Introduction: In this section, students should contextualize the interview theme.
• Development: Students should explain the theory behind the interview, explain how the activity was conducted, the methodology used, and present and discuss the results obtained.
• Conclusion: Students should summarize their main points, mention the lessons learned, and draw conclusions about the project.
• Bibliography: Students should list the sources of information used to prepare the interview and the report.

The interview and the report will demonstrate the students' ability to apply interview concepts, their English communication skills, their teamwork skills, as well as their critical and analytical thinking.