Not a Model Interview Lesson Plan
Lesson Idea: NOT a Model Interview
Level: intermediate
Purpose: To demonstrate what students
are likely to be asked in an interview, and to elicit a discussion of
successful and not-so-successful interview behaviors.
Materials: script as described below
Time: Forty five minutes
Note: Citizenship teachers often
stage mock interviews to prepare students for the real thing. Usually
the teacher plays the role of INS examiner, but in this version of the
activity, a student interviews the teacher instead. Since the teacher's
performance is clearly an "act" it is possible to avoid problems
of confidentiality, and students can safely criticize the (less than
exemplary) behavior of the teacher rather than criticizing one another.
Activity:
1. To get ready for this activity, prepare a script for the "examiner"
such as the one below.
2. Select a student with strong reading skills to play the role of
examiner, and give this person the prepared examiner script. (If there
are no strong readers in the class, it may be necessary to have an aide
or classroom volunteer come in to play this role.) Take this "examiner"
aside for a few minutes, go over the questions on the interview script
with her/him and explain that you are not going to be able to answer
all of the questions and that your behavior will not be very good. Tell
her/him to ignore any problems, and just keep asking the questions on
the paper.
3. Tell the class that you will be demonstrating an interview at INS,
and that you want them to listen and tell you what they think afterwards.
Have the examiner sit at a table or desk at the front of the room. Tell
the class that you are applying for citizenship and that you have your
interview today.
4. As described in the script, the examiner calls the applicant (played
by the teacher) to his/her office, swears the applicant in, establishes
identity, and asks various typical interview questions. However, rather
than play a model applicant, the teacher demonstrates a variety of behaviors
that are inadvisable in an interview situation, such as:
o offering inconsistent or suspicious-sounding information
o using body language/responses that appear evasive (refusing to look
at the examiner, mumbling responses, claiming not to know information
that should be obvious)
o giving incorrect responses to questions you don't understand (rather
than asking for clarification)
o failing to respond to social rituals ("good morning," "please
have a seat," "congratulations," shaking hands)
o responding to questions in the native language
o refusing or showing reluctance to demonstrate allegiance to the US
(N-400 part 10-H)
o responding incorrectly to commands ("remain standing"/"raise
your right hand")
o demonstrating an inappropriate attitude (chewing gum, smoking a cigarette,
challenging the examiner's authority, refusing to answer questions,
attempting to bribe the examiner)
o being overcome with nervousness (to the point that the examiner thinks
that you don't speak any English)
o dressing inappropriately (e.g. wearing a dirty or torn tee-shirt/jeans,
"flip-flops" etc.)
4. At the conclusion of the interview, ask the class whether they think
this applicant would be approved ("passed") for citizenship
in a real INS interview.
Invite students to offer advice to the "applicant" on how
to improve his/her interview skills.
Sample interview script:
Come in, please. Remain standing and raise your right hand.
Do you swear that the statements you will make to me will be the truth
so help you God?
What did you just promise?
Please show me your green card and any other identification you have
with you.
How do you spell your name?
What is your current address?
How long have you been a permanent resident?
Have you left the country since you became a permanent resident?
Have you changed addresses since you sent in your application?
How long have you lived at your current address?
Do you have a job? Have you been paying taxes?
Are you married?
Do you have any children?
Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?
Have you ever sold illegal drugs?
Did you ever lie to INS to get your green card?
Have you ever been arrested?
Do you believe in the Constitution? Do you believe in the US form of
government?
Are you willing to take an oath of allegiance?
Are you willing to bear arms for your country?
Are you a member of any organizations?
OK your interview is finished.
