Job applications

We did not only make CV:s but also job applications for actual jobs. This task was very useful for the future, because it's not impossible that one or both of would work abroad some day. It was even more fun when we had a drama practice and we acted a job interview with other playing interviewer and other in the interview. Our skills in English varies, but it's very good way of learning when other can support the other in the learning process.

Here's the first application:

September 30, 2015

Job application

Dear Sir or Madam,

I would like to apply vacancy of primary school music teacher in the Rome international school. I am a 22 years old primary school teacher to be, and I am very interested to work abroad. I am currently working with my bachelor’s thesis and my goal is to get it done before next summer. I have also studied musical education as minor but my bachelor’s degree will be about education. I am studying at the University of Turku, Finland, and I have done my done all my practical trainings at the Teacher Training School of Turku university which is a very international and multicultural school, so I already have lots of experience from that area too. I teached about half of my lessons in English, so even though I haven’t teached abroad yet, I have quite good idea what its like to teach children from different cultures and with different mother tounges. I have also studied Italian in high school, so working in international school in Italy would be an ideal job for me.

I have got my educational philosophy mainly from my childhood home and from my mother, and during my studies I have updated my earlier thougths about good education. I think that one of the most important roles of a primary school teacher is to teach children to take responsibility of their own learning. That’s why teacher has to be inspiring and show that learning can be fun and the learning itself can be more rewarding than grades. Personally I try get the pupils do as much as possible instead of just lecturing and talking by myself. For example I like to use drama in my classes to get the pupils activated. In music lessons I want pupils to get in touch with all kind of music from different genres. I think it’s important to get familiar with traditional music from all over the world, pop and rock music and also with classical music. In my opinion it’s also important to learn the basics of music theory, but I think it should be done in a fun way and the pupils should see the connection between music theory and playing and listening to music.

If You are looking for a very motivated and an inspiring person to teach children from different cultures, I am Your person. If You have anything to aska about me, my degree, my working experience or anything else, don’t hesitate to contact me via e-mail or phone.

Yours truly,

Mikael Nyberg

Faculty of education

University of Turku

And here's the second one:

14.10.2015

University of Turku
FI20014 TURUN YLIOPISTO
TURKU
FINLAND

Dear Principal of Finnish Language School of Minnesota

I am 3rd-year student in the Department of Teacher Education of the University of Turku. I am willing to know if it would be possible for me to work at your school as a teacher. I have travelled quite a lot over the world and on these trips I have seen how important it is to get familiar with other countries and cultures. I would like to get some experience of working or studying in foreign countries so I decided to contact you. The Finnish Language School of Minnesota seems like a good place to work for me because there I could improve my teaching and English skills as well as do the job I am studying for. I have never been in the North America but it has fascinated me for long.
I have done all my teaching internships at the Teacher Training School of Turku University, which is a highly respected and multicultural school. During my internship periods I have learned a lot about teaching children from different cultural backgrounds and how to consider those backgrounds on my teaching methods.

Moreover I have worked for 5 years as a salesman in Finnish electronic shop called Expert and I have achieved very good communication skills and co-operation skills along working. I have also worked as an UN peacekeeper in Chad with Irish battalion which gave me a lot of experience about leading and working with English-speaking-people. Nowadays I have found working as a peacekeeper and salesman and studying to become a teacher good combination because all of these three jobs require quite the same skills. Working with people (especially with children) you have to know how people think and try to understand how they behave.

As a teacher I am specialized in PE and mathematics but happy to teach also every other elementary school subjects. I am extremely enthusiastic and motivated and I strive to face all of my students as an individuals. As a person I would describe myself responsible, honest, social and outgoing, a person who has common sense and has good organization skills.

Although Finland and Minnesota are pretty similar in many ways, I believe that as a native Finn I would also bring a bit of the Finnish Culture to your school.

Looking forward to hearing from you!


Kind regards,

Heikki Termonen
Student in the Department of Teacher Education
University of Turku