Job Discussion Forums

moneyoriented · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 76

Wow - I'm surprised so many teachers are introverts, and apparently happy enough with their careers. Would you guys consider yourselves (or have you been tested as) very introverted, moderately so or only mildly so?

I ask because I test as very introverted, and it's hard for me to imagine myself as a teacher of any kind. But I have a hard time imagining myself as anything else either. I do like the idea of getting out of my own country (lived here most of my life - I'm bored with it) and living/working in various countries. I also like the idea of making/saving half-decent money (in the Gulf). But I wonder if I'm capable with such an introverted personality?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:55 am Post subject:

E-X-T-R-O-V-E-R-T!!! Thas' me to a "T"!!! As if anybody couldn't imagine. Laughing

I'm also a carnovore and proud of it. An' while I'm at it, I'm a "person of color"...more pinkish than white. Have I covered all/most of the bases...remind me if I haven't. Laughing

...

...

NCTBA

littleoldlady · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 286 Location: knitting heaven

NCTBA
Also a person of questionnable spelling Laughing

Color - colour ha ha ha ha ha ha

Ok I'm a Brit. What do I know?

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

littleoldlady · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 286 Location: knitting heaven

I have to answer this one!
I am by nature an introvert yet I have a successful business.
My daughter is the same and she is a hot shot lawyer in London ( we are Brits).

You put your mask on the for day and ACT.

My bro - now an American is an extrovert. He hasn't got any further in life than me. He is also a big pain in the a....se.

My best American friends are those who are thoughtful, considered, and
not up themselves. Ok.. you all know who you are... Laughing

it's about individual peeps - not nations.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 7:44 am Post subject:

Oh, yeah...I'm tickled pink that Oprah will call it quits after a quarter-century of intellectual tyranny...

NCTBA

khmerhit · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 5:41 pm Post subject:

introvert or extrovert----v strange dichotomy, must have been thought up by some shrink with a degree in marketing and a book deal. Rolling Eyes

DMcK · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 111 Location: Madrid

I'm both an introvert and an extrovert. Depends on the moon I suppose.
I'm happy, I'm not happy.
I'm schizophrenic. So am I.

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

I'd go for introvert, and would agree with most of what is discussed here. However, based on experiences, I really think the *type* of teaching job and environment matters for personality, and it's possible how particular types of teaching are better suited for introverts, whereas other types of teaching are better suited for extroverts.

For example, I did all kinds of EFL work in Shanghai and was very satisfied with my career: business, conversation, young learners, IELTS, and so forth. The real advantage I found here was working in such a large city offered plenty of space for me to find opportunities outside of work to either socialize with friends outside of work, reflect on the teaching, or just chill out and go for bike rides, etc.

Since then I've "advanced" my career to getting a PGCE back home and teaching math/physics in international schools. Still in China mind you, but in very different settings. For the past 5 years I've mainly been in remote suburban locations for large school campuses, and unwillingly part of an 'expat bubble' where teachers continually hang out with each other both during and after work. In other words, I find there are very few opportunities for socializing outside of work or developing other interests. Most of the time I'm feeling lonely or just bumming around the house because I choose not to get involved in all this after-work gossip / socializing. Either that or I head out to different cities on the weekend for meeting people over there.

So I've found it makes a big difference. Ironically, it's more suited for extroverts to be in these kind of situations where the socializing and work blend together with the same people. An introvert would do better in a larger city where there are more opportunities to socialize (or not) outside of work.

duder_1 · Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Posts: 9

ssjup81 · Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:07 am Post subject:

I'm in between, I feel, although, I will admit to being more introverted than extroverted. What I mean is that I'm not socially inept or socially awkward, yet, I don't mind keeping to myself.

For this Meyers Briggs type tests, I'm usually pegged for being INFP type.

Introversion
Feeling
Perceiving

runthegauntlet · Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:25 am Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:37 am Post subject:

Dear runthegauntlet,

I'm almost always content - occasionally happy, But then, what happiness lacks in length, it makes up for in height (plagiarized from Robert Frost.)

Regards,
John

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I think over the years I have become more introverted, but some of it may have to do with living in Japan. Also since becoming married, I go out less often , so that also contributes to myself being a little more introverted.

As to being happy, depends on the day you ask me. Shocked

Molson · Joined: 01 May 2009 Posts: 137 Location: China