Navigating Your First TEFL Demo Lesson: A Practical Guide

So, you’ve landed an interview for a teaching position, and they’ve asked for a demo lesson. The materials are in your hands—a worksheet, a PowerPoint prompt—and suddenly, the reality hits. How do you transform these static pages into a dynamic, engaging learning experience, especially when time is tight?

First, take a deep breath. This feeling is completely normal. Every seasoned educator started exactly where you are now.

Start with the End in Mind

Look at the worksheet you’ve been given. If it’s multiple choice, don’t see it as just a test. See it as a conversation starter.

• What is the core grammar or vocabulary point? Identify the single key concept the worksheet is assessing.
• Your goal isn’t to have students simply circle answers. Your goal is to ensure they understand why one answer is correct and the others are not.

Build Your Lesson Arc

A great demo flows in clear, logical stages. Think of it as a short story with a beginning, middle, and end.

1. The Warm-Up (2-3 minutes)

• Start with a simple, interactive question related to the worksheet topic. If it’s about past tense, ask: “What did you do last weekend?”
• This breaks the ice, activates prior knowledge, and shows you can connect with students.

2. Introduce the Concept (5-7 minutes)

• Use your PowerPoint here. Do not read slides verbatim!
• Use them as visual anchors. Introduce the key rule or vocabulary with one clear, strong example.
• Elicit, don’t lecture. Ask questions like, “What do you notice about this sentence?” to get students involved immediately.

3. Guided Practice with the Worksheet (8-10 minutes)

• This is where you make the multiple-choice worksheet come alive.
• Model the first question together. Think out loud: “Okay, option A says X, but the subject here is ‘he,’ so we need the third-person form…”
• Turn it into a game. Have “Team A” and “Team B” discuss their chosen answer. Ask a student to explain their reasoning. This demonstrates you value understanding over guessing.
• Use the whiteboard (real or imagined) to jot down key points as they arise.

4. Quick Production & Wrap-Up (3-5 minutes)

• Show you can take the concept beyond the worksheet. Ask students to create one original sentence using the rule they just practiced.
• Briefly review the key takeaway and end on an encouraging note.

Key Mindset Shifts for Success

• You are the facilitator, not the broadcaster. Your job is to guide discovery.
• Embrace the “mistake.” If a student picks a wrong answer, it’s a golden teaching moment. Thank them, and gently guide the class to the correct reasoning.
• Energy and clarity trump complexity. A simple, well-executed lesson is far more impressive than a complicated, confusing one.
• They are assessing your potential. Interviewers want to see your rapport, your thinking process, and your calm under pressure. A polished performance is less important than showing you have the right instincts.

Feeling like you need more time is natural. Use that feeling to focus your preparation. Practice your timing out loud. Remember, this demo is your chance to showcase not just teaching skills, but your enthusiasm and adaptability—the very traits that make a great TEFL educator.

You’ve got this.