Lessons from the first interviews in class

Some observations about the test interviews in class:

• interviewers take charge forcefully, and try to stay in command (discouraging the interviewee)
• interviewers fire one question after the other, once they have obtained a short answer (no time to answer)
• interviewers hate silence and want to keep things moving (interviewee has not enough time to think, and prepare her/his response in a foreign language)
• interviewers connect with what they hear and comment right away (the interviewee gets the impression that they should listen to the interviewer)
• interviewers tend to be torn between self-expression and the task of listening, and promoting information flow from the interviewee (relax, de-identify, embrace the interviewee mentally)
• interviewers need to get used to a structured speaking environment and re-learn natural speech (pretend to have "just a conversation")
• interviewers tend to move around nervously on their chairs and do not hold eye contact well (show your interview partner through body language, hand motions, eye contact, that you are "with them")
• interviewers are very result-oriented when the process of interviewing is just as valuable for their own growth and understanding (if you blow an interview, learn from your mistakes and apologize to the interviewee, if needed)

All but five students in s21 had their first interviews lined up. Good luck to all others with the first interview this week, the recording, the gift of an interview, and structured information gathering.

Conduct the interview and record.
Listen to the recording one more time, before you start transcribing the tape
Transcribe only usable information
Make note of notable events that a reader would not know about (e.g. the interviewee had a phone call and seemed distracted then, etc)
Do not write down portions that do not carry information you consider vital (if you spend five minutes talking about sports, for example, you say so in the transcript - but you do not transcribe that portion, if it doesn't carry the main focus of the interview)
A report is due about the interview.
A report contains:
Information about how you met your interviewee, where and when you met, and general observations about the interview.
A brief 1-2 page explanation of the country and culture of your interviewee.
Your personal observations about the interview and what you have heard/learned.
The edited transcript, possible a .wav file with the interview
First interviews are due 10-27
Have fun, listen well, and marvel at the world "they" open up for you.
Roland
10-14-09