Interview Questions

ELD Student Interview Questions (16-year-old male)

1. What are some of your interests/hobbies?
Student: I love hanging out with friends outside of school, especially the bowling alley. I love listening
to music and watching TV. I am part of the swim team at school.
2. Tell me about your family.
Student: Me and my siblings are from another country, adopted by my American parents eight years
ago. I have two older sisters, one in college and one about to graduate high school.
3. What is the hardest thing about living in the USA?
Student: Learning English.
4. What is the best thing about living in the USA?
Student: The freedom.
5. How do you feel about your English ability?
Student: I am struggling with it.
6. What part of learning English do you dislike the most?
Student: Reading.
7. Are there any parts of learning English that you enjoy?
Student: The ability to speak to my friends at school, my teachers, and my family.
8. Do you think learning English is important?
Student: Yes because it is the most spoken language in the world and its important to get a good
job.
9. How do you use English outside of school?
Student: With my family and to communicate with people. To go to the movie theatres and
understand what they are saying and doing.
10. What type of reading do you like the best?
Student: I like to read history and historical fiction. I also liked The Hunger Games.
11. Do you use technology to help you with school work?

Student: Yes, I use Siri to transcribe my spoken words into the correct English spelling for
homework. I also use Audio Books through YouTube. I use my school-issued iPad for taking notes, reading
my school books, and certain apps.
12. Who helps you the most with your studies and your EL learning (e.g., teacher, parent, other)?
Student: My mother and a tutor for my dyslexia. My swim coach also helps me. When I was younger
I used a computer program for EL student to learn basic English.
13. What is the most helpful thing the teacher does to help you learn?
Student: One of my teachers gives me a copy of the notes, she reviews chapters with me to make
sure I understand, and she helps me with understanding the homework.
14. Do you believe your peers or faculty are aware of your culture and of your background? Do you feel
well-adjusted in the USA?
Student: No they do not understand our culture or the things we went through as kids before we
came to America. Yes because I have been here since I was younger and I have learned to speak English
pretty well.