Job Discussion Forums

[Novalis]

I know the short answer to this question is "no" but I am interested to know what the range of views are out there about the importance of personality.

From what I gather, it is better to be an extrovert than an introvert due to the entertainment component in most classes. The need to be fun-loving and easy going is always going to be important, and all the more so if teaching kids.

Thing is I'm no extrovert. I'm pretty relaxed when I get comfortable with my environment but merry prankster I am not. How much of an impediment could this be? Will I have to expend that much more energy to get "up" for every class? I've heard that people who focus too much on the performance aspect of teaching are more likely to burn out and/or turn to booze to chill out after class.

[thrifty]

TEFLers tend to be people who have had something to wrong in their life-that is why they TEFL.

There is little entertainment component in most classes-that is a newbie misconception.

You will burn out and turn to booze eventually.

[tedkarma]

I am an introvert. If you can ever find me at a party I am usually in the back - by myself or with a few close friends. But, in the classroom I am an extrovert. Why? Because it is my job, I know how to do it, and I am VERY confident in the setting (vs. not so confident at the cocktail party scene).

There is room for most everyone in the profession. The ability to sing and dance is not required - just a sincere interest in your students.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

I've done about a billion personality type tests, and have been classified as INFP (myers-brigg test) pretty much constantly. It really, really accurately describes me, but the jobs that typically work well with this personality (although most are things that I've at some point or other thought of doing) aren't very good for making money (example- poet. How many poets are ble to surviive off their poetry earnings? Almost none, I would guess and yet that was exactly what I very, very nearly majored in in university- cretive writing, with a focus on poetry). Fortunately for my fabulous money making potential I changed and majored in Music History and English literature before doing a certificate in copywriting (something I'm totally not suited for, and would have known if I'd done these tests earlier- when you ask people about the job they're always saying that I'm perfect for it- but I'm not. You really need an alpha personality for that line of work) and then a certificate in TESL- which really felt like a fit for me, especially when I took some history courses later because I kept getting wuestions about Canada from my students that I couldn't really answer (I really hate having to say "uhhh...I dunno" or "I'll get back to you about that tomorrow...(if you remember to ask me again, and if I remember to look it up)".

I think in Myers Brigg personalities the 'best' type would be an ENFP- but that's really based on the type of teacher that Japanese employers want- basically a clown. So for me, it's always a little hard to be really outgoing- I can do it in class, but in a huge room filled with Japanese teachers who don't talk to me, I sort of withdraw into silence.

When I taught in Canada, that kind of personality might be a little offputting for some of the adult immigrants. But then, in Canada, students generally look at the English teacher as a human being, and that doesn't really happen so much in Japan. So that kind of personality might sort of feel like they have to tone down a bit.

[denise]

As always, I agree with tedkarma. I, too, am introverted in social situations but confident in the classroom. Shy people can succeed as teachers!

Another thing to consider personality-wise is how you will fare in foreign cultures, which can be difficult or might even seem downright silly compared to what you may be used to. Tolerance, acceptance, open-mindedness, perseverance, and an ability to put things into perspective will, in my opinion, carry you a lot further than extroversion (is that even a word?!?!?).

d

[tedkarma]

To support what Denise is saying:

I am a teacher trainer here - and the first thing I write on the whiteboard on the very first day is "Flexibility". People with rigid ideas and rigid ways of doing things - just don't survive in foreign cultures.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

In my experience, teachers who are more laid-back than average seem to stick with it longest. Living in other countries and dealing with management of language schools almost requires a laid-back attitude (this doesn't mean doormat of course). If a person is high-strung it must be very difficult...

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[Novalis]

Thanks for the encouragement and the bits of truth. (yes, even thrifty -- did Tom Waits ever do a stint at Geos? Now there's a picture!)

I related to the mention of Meyers Briggs. I tend to be INTP or INFP. The I stands for introverted regardless.

So it all comes down to becoming confident in the classroom. When one is starting out, there is no confidence. Only nerves, worse case scenarios, and self doubt.

I am very flexible by nature and laid back about foreign countries and other ways of being. That's part of the attraction of going into TEFL. You are tired of THIS way of being and are looking for something new.

It is important to become confident quickly or at least to fake it well because the students will pick up on it and realize you don't know what you're going and eat you alive. Or so I've heard.

[tedkarma]

[denise]

It's important to keep a realistic attitude about your level of confidence. As you've suggested, students can pick up on it, so if necessary, fake it. And don't beat yourself up if you walk out of your first few classes feeling like a nervous wreck! In the beginning, it can be hard, but it gets much, much easier over time. Just enjoy yourself in the classroom and try to look at each lesson as a chance to improve upon the previous lesson.

Good luck,
d

[sheeba]