Creating a CV. A Job interview

no

Lecturers
Students

Business & Communication

Autonomous learning
Classroom Context

Romanian

Any language

B1

Activity/task
Audio
Picture/Graphics
Test

Vocabulary
Pragmatics

Listening
Speaking

The unit "Creating a CV. Job interview” can be accessed on the web page called „Course of the Romanian language”, a project financed by the Romanian Government which is addressed to all those who would like to study Romanian. The web page offers several modules for 3 levels of language skills: A1, A2 and B1. These teaching resources refer mainly to real daily-life situations. All exercises and texts are accompanied by illustrations or video and audio materials. They encourage a simultaneous development of receptive and productive skills. This module includes a reading comprehension text (a sample CV), a reading comprehension test based on the previous text, with the possibility to check the answers online, and an audio material with a gap filling exercises based on an audio material which can be played or paused at will. The module also includes a Grammar section which, in this particular case, refers to nouns and adjectives designating nationalities.

The learning resource is correctly assessed as corresponding to CEFR level B1 and aims to develop the ability to understand, convey and evaluate an oral message in a professional context. The resource was used in an online class for about 180 minutes, but could be used in several lessons. The students' responses showed that the majority appreciated the information as useful, they liked the teaching style and the teaching material used. We recommend breaking down the teaching resource into 2 distinct parts: 1) Writing a CV and 2) Job interview. The first part could be supplemented by writing a cover letter as a written communication tool, alongside the CV. The grammar exercises were based on the summary grammar sheet provided in the resource. It was noted that the two grammar elements targeted are aimed at different levels of competence, A2 and B1 respectively. We recommend adapting them to the target level of the other communication activities in the resource. The user guide is indicative and some support elements such as the transcription of dialogues from the audio material would need to be added. Sonia Munteanu, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Department of Modern Languages and Communication

1. Teacher announces the title – Creating a CV. Job interview.
2. Warm-up activity. Teacher asks the following questions: What is a CV? In what situations do we need it? Have you ever created your own CV? What information have you included in it? Have you ever participated in a job interview? What questions are usually asked on a job interview? What rules do you have to follow on a job interview?
3. Students read the CV from the web page and complete the multiple-choice exercise. Teacher draws students’ attention to the organization of the CV.
4. Students listen to the recording and complete the listening exercise. Teacher asks the following questions: Do you think the interviewee has produced a good impression on the interviewers? Why?
5. Teacher asks each student to complete 2 tasks: 1) to create his/her own CV to apply for a manager job in a multi-national company; 2) to make up a list of 8 questions which he/she would ask as an interviewer on a job interview in a multi-national company.
6. Role play. Students are divided into couples. One student will play the role of an interviewer, asking the prepared questions. The other will present his/her CV and answer these questions.
7. Feedback. Teacher asks students to provide their feedback on the level of difficulty of the task.
Achieved results:
- the use of the specialized vocabulary from the target field
- the development of the skill of reading / listening to a specialized text and extracting the relevant information
- the development of the skill of creating a CV
- the development of the skill of participating in a job interview as an interviewer/interviewee.
Risks that have to be taken into account:
- students should be guided by the teacher for an efficient and useful discussion;
- students could face difficulties in writing a CV and a list of interviewer’s questions due to the lack of experience in this field; teacher should provide students with the necessary assistance.