My Experience on UMS TESL Interview 2018

Hello everyone,

This is going to be my first ever entry in this blog, hopefully someone’s reading and enjoying this. I’m going to tell you about my experience during the TESL interview that was held in UMS on 12^th Jun 2018.

Before that, a little introduction about me won’t hurt right? My name is Tira, I am from a small town call Keningau, and I finished my form 6 studies with a CGPA of 3.42 and band 4 in MUET. My first choice in UPU was HT06 Pendidikan TESL in UMS. The rest of my course choices were utter rubbish because I didn’t know what to choose after TESL. So I kind of randomly choose anything after that.

I will probably insert some tips while writing this entry so I hope it helps. A week before the interview, I did some research on how to face college admission interview. I couldn’t find enough info regarding UMS TESL iv on the internet so I just read some of the UPSI’s one. Besides that, I learnt a few interview tips from a foreigner channel on youtube. It helped me a lot. Most of them pointed out that self-introduction were essential as it created excellent first impression to the panel.

I also organized my documents a week before the interview. I even bought a brand new white file that cost me about RM10 even though I have plenty of colourful files at home. I bought it because I thought I could give off some professional aura to the panel. Other than that, my school's counsellor told us to buy a standard teacher’s nametag for the same reason which is to look professional. It cost me RM15 for the magnet one. I literally spent lots of money for the iv. Don’t get me started with the cost of printing my certificates and docs. Sadly, those copies were a waste of money and time. In the surat panggilan, they never stated we should bring our copies so no need lah. 

I had to admit that my document was the neatest among my peers. I’m so proud of myself. So y’all be like me ok. Joking... #StayHumble

I practiced a lot with my speaking before the actual iv. My speaking skill was pretty average. Some of the candidates have a superb speaking skill and I was impressed boyyy. There’s this one guy who spoke english like it was his mother-tongue... you guys should expect this kind of situation or maybe you're going to be the guy? Untung lah band 5.

Some of the earlier candidates told us that they got a question such as
“What are the current issues that you know? “
“Why do you choose TESL?”
“Can you sing?”

The person who got the “can you sing?” question answered the panel with “I’m not brave enough” so y’all out there, please be ready. How can you be a teacher if you’re afraid to do that? Actually I got the same question lol. I confidently told the interviewer “yes. I can sing Original Sabahan by Atmosfera”. This song was popular during that time, I couldn’t think of any other song so yeah. I stand up, sung two verses and went blank because I forgot the freaking damn lyrics. 

To be honest, I actually practiced that song just before I went inside the iv room but due to my short term memory on memorizing lyrics, you know lah what happen. The panel asked for more songs but I told her that I was bad in memorizing lyrics. Thankfully she understood. By the way, the interviewer was the TESL lecturer herself. Some of the panel had to ‘balik kampung’ because it almost raya so they were short on iv panel.

After I was done with that awful singing session, the panel suddenly asked me if I ever wrote a script for any drama before. I never experienced with script-writing so I just told her that I used to be in a drama competition. My character was James Brooke; I had to put on a moustache. She was superbly amused because she’d never thought me as a girl who would do such acting. I guess that showed how determined I was when doing something?

When introducing, please make sure you insert useful info about yourself. Do not introduce yourself with only commonplace things people often do. Such as stating name, age, family background and that’s all. Well that is vital in self-introduction, but please add some spices in it. Don’t make it dull. For an example, if you mention that you used to be a cheerleader or whatsoever, they will ask you question based on that and later on it will escalate to a brand new question.

As for me I told the panel that I like sports and play lots kind of sport during my studies in pre-u. She clearly loved the way when I talk passionately about it. I ended my talk with “if I get myself enrol in UMS, I will be playing futsal as part of the UMS team” while clenching my hand. Can you believe I just said that? Well, I was desperate you know. I supposed she could see my burning passion for futsal. Yeah, I love futsal even though I only played it for once and lost to 2 matches with zero goals. I will polish up my futsal skills later, hopefully. I swear to god. If only UMS choose me. HAHA.

Other than that, I told her that I used to be a part time teacher in this one tuition centre located near to my place; I taught 7 to 12 years old kids. She asked me if I can handle students in high school because those totally differ to kids I used to teach. With my mortifying self-assurance, I told her that it would be utterly fine because I used to give speeches to my form 6 junior during their orientation day. Somehow I managed to persuade the panel that giving speeches is the same with teaching. Well that was easy...phew.

She literally talked about 70% in the interview room and I only talked about 30%. She excitedly informed me certain activities that TESL students will be doing later. I was just nodding the whole time with that I-am-interested-so-can-you-choose-me-as-one-of-your-student and I-will-never-let-you-down-trust-me expression  on my face.

For those who are not confident about the way they speak in English, afraid of grammar mistakes and all... do not get scared. Trust me, my English was hella broken in that iv room. I sounded like I’m having epilepsy or something. I stuttered a lot. I did a lot of grammar mistakes. Even the panel deliberately pointed out my mistakes. Just remember, be confident and put a damn huge smile.

I actually have so much more to share regarding today’s entry but I’m getting sluggish now. If you have any question, you can comment down below. I’m willing to help. I’m not sure if I will get the ‘sukacita dimaklumkan..’. later on. Let just hope for the best. If I somehow enrol in UMS, I will give an update. If not, I will hang myself because I fail at getting my first choice in UPU. Nah... just kidding. Stay tuned for part 2 I guess? Babai.