Interview Tips:

Think like a Pro & Ask questions like a Boss.

Stage 1 : Empathize

Our next step in Empathizing is conducting interviews. How we develop our

questions and plan ahead of time will directly impact the quality of the
information we learn. DONT GO IN WITHOUT A PLAN!!

Here are some tips from the professionals:

1. Start with GENERAL questions about hobbies, passions, etc. to get things
started. This will help make both of you comfortable.

2. Always ask OPEN ENDED questions, not yes/no questions

Tell me what you think
Why do you think

3. Ask REFLECTION questions:

What were some of the unexpected challenges/benefits?
How has this experience impacted your life?

4. Ask questions that CONFIRM what you may ALREADY KNOW. They may not volunteer
the information you are looking for if you dont ask for it!

5. Ask about FEELINGS:

How do you feel about
What was it like to do
Why do you do what you do
What motivates you

6. Trick them into getting the sound bite you want:

If you want them to say This was the most important event in my life,
then ask was this the most important event in your life? Then if they
answer yes, you can write _______ said this was the most important event in
his/her life.

7. Always close with IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOUD LIKE TO ADD?

 IQW: Interview Question Worksheet
Interview:
Which interview is this?
Objective:
What is your objective in
this interview? A clear
objective will help you
develop your questions to
achieve your goal.
Potential Contacts:
Questions:
Start with your opening
questions and funnel
down to your meaty
questions. You want to
guide them gently from
simple, general questions
to the questions that
attack the heart of your
issue.
(Expert, Victim, Advocate, Opposer)
A good objective statement might be something like: To
find out __________s most difficult obstacle. or To
Find out how _____________ started to become a problem
To find out how they learned english and what
difficulties they faced doing so
You should have at least 3 potential contacts to
start.
Name:Eloisa Phone:
Cutler Email:
Position: Address:
Name:Jose Phone: (619) 952-6348
Hernandez Email:
Position: afigueroa2018@hightechhigh.org
Andres Address: 2137 Julian Avenue, San
Grandpa Diego, CA
Name: Hieke Phone:
Position: Email:
Address:
List your questions here
When did you move to America?
When and how did you start learning English?
How effectively were you able to communicate
when you first moved?
What language are you more comfortable speaking?
Did you have any specific experiences where you
had trouble communicating or had a
miscommunication?
Did you find it easy or difficult to learn
English when you were in your native country and
in America
How do you feel about your experiences
immigrating and learning English
What supports did you have to learn English,
 what did you do individually and what systems
did you use?

Remember ALWAYS CLOSE with this question:

Is there anything else youd like to add?

Interview: (Expert, Victim, Advocate, Opposer)

Which interview is this?

Objective: A good objective statement might be something like: To

What is your objective in find out __________s most difficult obstacle. or To
this interview? A clear Find out how _____________ started to become a problem
objective will help you
develop your questions to
achieve your goal. I want to find out more about makes it important.
What makes it more difficult for adults? How big is
this issue?

Potential Contacts: You should have at least 3 potential contacts to

start.

Name:Tony Phone:
Carnerie Email:
Position: MED Address:
in TESOL, https://extension.ucsd.edu/Instruct
ors/A-D/Carnerie,-Tony-C

Name: James Phone: 866 825-5426

Perren Email: jperren@alliant.edu
Position: Address:
TESOL
Associate
 Professor

Name:Jin-Suk Phone:
Byun Email: jbyun@alliant.edu
Position: Address:
TESOL
Assistant
Professor

Questions: List your questions here

Start with your opening
questions and funnel
down to your meaty
questions. You want to
guide them gently from
simple, general questions
to the questions that
attack the heart of your
issue.
What made you interested in this field?
(If you know) Why is it harder for Adults to
learn languages?
What are some of the strategies used to help
adults learn languages
Do you think all people in America should learn
english?
From your experience what works the best?
Can you tell a us a story or experience youve
had with a student that was memorable?
What makes access/ Availability to ESL
important?
What do you think could help change the
experiences people in our country have while
trying to learn english?
What do you think should be improved about
the current system for people trying to
learn English?

Remember ALWAYS CLOSE with this question:

Is there anything else youd like to add?

Interview: (Expert, Victim, Advocate, Opposer)

Which interview is this?

Objective: A good objective statement might be something like: To

What is your objective in find out __________s most difficult obstacle. or To
this interview? A clear Find out how _____________ started to become a problem
objective will help you
develop your questions to Why this issue is important & why they chose to help
achieve your goal. it

Potential Contacts: You should have at least 3 potential contacts to

start.

Name:Glenn Phone:
Evans Email: gevans@hightechhigh.org
Position: HTHI Address:
ELL
Coordinator

Name:Ian Phone:
Reifowitz Email:
Position: Address:
Professor, Twitter: @ianreifowitz
author, editor http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ian-r
eifowitz/you-say-you-want-immigran_
b_5671451.html

Name: United Phone:

We Dream Email:
Position: An Address:
organization https://unitedwedream.org/about/con
to stand up tact/
for and help
immigrants

Questions: Listyour questions here

Start with your opening
questions and funnel
down to your meaty
questions. You want to
guide them gently from
simple, general questions
to the questions that
attack the heart of your
issue.
What made you interested in this field?
How accessible are ESL classes to adults?
In your experience what is the hardest for teen
and adult language learners?
How important is access to ESL for immigrants in
America?
Can you tell a story about a story or experience
youve had with a student that was memorable?
What do you think could help these people in
America to learn English?
 What do you think is the most important thing
for those people to know/ have access to?
Do you think all people in America need to learn
English?

Remember ALWAYS CLOSE with this question:

Is there anything else youd like to add?

Interview: (Expert, Victim, Advocate, Opposer)

Which interview is this?

Objective: A good objective statement might be something like: To

What is your objective in find out __________s most difficult obstacle. or To
this interview? A clear Find out how _____________ started to become a problem
objective will help you
develop your questions to To understand their perspective and how we can use it
achieve your goal. to provide a better solution

Potential Contacts: You should have at least 3 potential contacts to

start.
Name: Angelito Chicano
Phone:858 201 8442
Name: Michael Phone:
Email:lchicano@gmail.com
Hobbes Email: michael.hobbes.bln@gmail.com
Address:?
Position: Address:
journalist

Name: Gabriel Phone: 858-444-7291

Nash Email: gabrielnash365@gmail.com
Position: Address: 8654 anrol ave.
Kileys dad

Name:Cherial Phone: 6198467434

 Position: Email:
Lillies nana Address:

Questions: List your questions here

Start with your opening
questions and funnel
down to your meaty
questions. You want to
guide them gently from
simple, general questions
to the questions that
attack the heart of your
issue.
Do you speak a second language?
What do you think about immigrants?
What are your opinions on services and welfare
being given to immigrants? Why?
Should immigrants be required to speak English?
How do you feel about immigration?
Do you think we should offer esl classes for
immigrants?
Have you had any experiences that impact what
you think?

Remember ALWAYS CLOSE with this question:

Is there anything else youd like to add?

HELPFUL ARTICLE
http://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/85682-success-with-hispanics-why-don-t-
hispanics-learn-english