Watch sample videos to help you prepare your own introduction and demo lesson.
A strong video submission can be the difference between getting an interview and getting passed over. Most online ESL companies now require a self-introduction video with your application, and many conduct a live or recorded demo lesson as part of the hiring process. This guide breaks down exactly what recruiters are looking for, how to structure your videos, and the specific scenarios you should prepare for.
A demo lesson video shows a recruiter how you actually teach -- not just how you talk about teaching. Most companies ask for a 3-5 minute clip where you simulate teaching a lesson as if students were present. Here is what recruiters consistently say they watch for: clear instructions, appropriate pacing, visible energy, use of TPR (Total Physical Response), and the ability to check for understanding without real students to respond to.
This is the most commonly requested demo format, especially for platforms teaching children aged 4-12. You should have physical props ready -- flashcards, a small whiteboard, a puppet or stuffed animal for demonstration, and a reward system (stars, stickers, or a points tally on your whiteboard). Start with a greeting and warm-up ("Hello! How are you today?"), introduce 3-5 new vocabulary words using the flashcards with exaggerated gestures, then do a simple practice activity. The key mistake most applicants make is talking too fast and forgetting to pause as if waiting for a student response. Recruiters want to see that you can slow down and make space for interaction even in a recorded setting.
For platforms focused on adult learners (Cambly, iTalki, some Preply positions), your demo should look completely different. Choose a conversation topic -- travel, food, work-life balance -- and structure it as a guided discussion. Introduce the topic, ask an open-ended question, then demonstrate how you would handle common errors: recasting incorrect grammar naturally ("Student: I go yesterday to the store. Teacher: Oh, you went to the store yesterday? What did you buy?"), and asking follow-up questions that push the student to use more complex structures. Recruiters are watching whether you correct errors without shutting down the conversation flow.
Pick one specific grammar point -- present perfect vs. simple past, or conditional sentences, or articles (a/an/the) -- and teach it in 3-4 minutes using a whiteboard (physical or digital). Write example sentences, underline or highlight the key structures, and show how you would guide a student from understanding the rule to producing their own sentences. The common trap is choosing a grammar point that is too broad. "Teaching past tense" is a 45-minute lesson, not a 3-minute demo. Narrow your focus: just regular past tense "-ed" endings, or just the difference between "I went" and "I have gone."
Phonics demos are requested primarily by companies teaching beginning readers (ages 4-7). Choose a single letter sound or a simple blend ("sh," "th," "ch") and build a short lesson around it. Show the letter on a flashcard, model the sound clearly with your mouth visible to the camera, give 3-4 example words with pictures, and then do a practice activity where you point to the flashcard and "listen" for the student's response. Exaggerate your mouth movements. Energy matters enormously here -- phonics lessons for young children need to feel animated and fun, not mechanical.
Many ESL companies use a video interview (live via Zoom or pre-recorded) as a second screening step after reviewing your application and intro video. Here is what to prepare for.
Camera positioning matters more than people realize. Place your camera at or slightly above eye level so you are looking straight ahead or slightly down -- never up at your own chin. Frame yourself from the chest up with a clean, uncluttered background (a plain wall or a tidy bookshelf). Maintain eye contact with the camera lens, not with yourself on the screen. Use natural hand gestures as you would in a classroom, but keep them within the frame. Smile when you greet the interviewer and when discussing teaching -- it sounds obvious, but nervousness makes people forget.
This catches many applicants off guard. Interviewers may say "teach me something in 2 minutes" with no preparation time. The trick is to have 2-3 pre-prepared mini-lessons in your back pocket that you can pull out instantly. A safe bet: teaching three new vocabulary words with a picture, a definition, and an example sentence for each. Another reliable option: a simple "find the mistake" activity where you write three sentences on the whiteboard (two correct, one with an error) and walk the interviewer through identifying and correcting it. The point is not to deliver a perfect lesson -- it is to show that you can think on your feet and communicate clearly under pressure.
Your self-intro video is usually 1-2 minutes and serves as your first impression with the hiring team. For our full guide on creating a polished self-introduction video -- including a sample script, lighting setup, and common mistakes to avoid -- visit our dedicated Self-Introduction Video Guide.
Quick summary of key points:
You do not need expensive gear, but a few basics make a noticeable difference in video quality.
Most modern laptops have adequate webcams (720p minimum). If your laptop camera is more than 4-5 years old, a dedicated USB webcam (Logitech C920 or similar, around $50-70) will be a clear upgrade. Position it at eye level using a stack of books or a laptop stand -- never shoot from below.
Natural light from a window directly behind your camera is the simplest good lighting. If you teach in the evening or have no window access, a small ring light ($15-25 on Amazon) positioned behind your camera eliminates shadows and makes you look significantly more professional. Avoid overhead-only lighting, which creates dark shadows under your eyes.
Audio quality matters more than video quality for ESL positions -- they need to hear your pronunciation clearly. Built-in laptop microphones pick up keyboard noise and room echo. A USB headset with a boom mic solves this entirely. For specific recommendations, see our Best Headsets for Online Teaching guide.
If your demo lesson involves teaching young learners, have your props ready before you hit record: flashcards, a small whiteboard, markers, and a puppet or stuffed animal. For adult-focused demos, a digital whiteboard tool (Zoom's built-in whiteboard, or a tablet with a stylus) is sufficient. See our Teaching Supplies guide for specific product recommendations.
Use our detailed guides to prepare your videos and nail your interview.
Self-Intro Video Guide Interview Prep Guide