Korean Job Discussion Forums

Zackback · Joined: 05 Nov 2010 Location: Kyungbuk

I'm just curious about how those who are introverts go about teaching here.
Conversation, teaching, meeting people are things introverts shy away from.
How do you motivate yourself to become a different person than who you really are in order to teach effectively?

Thanks

swinewho · Joined: 17 Aug 2009

Old fat expat · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 5:20 pm Post subject:

Introverts can make great teachers because they tend to be better prepared.

Being an introvert does not mean you don't like interaction with people. It is a measure of arousal levels and how quickly you reach your 'comfort' level. Introverts control their arousal state by knowing their material better.

An introvert will quickly learn to avoid the fly-by-pants approach by either leaving the profession or preparing better.

They are also more likely to include others (students) and take a more enabler role than being the center of attention. This works well in ESL.

I test high on the MMPI and Myers-Briggs for introversion, yet have a life time of sports coaching and teaching and have also done well with presentations at conferences. It is all about management.

edwardcatflap · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

isitts · Joined: 25 Dec 2008 Location: Korea

Old fat expat · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 6:16 pm Post subject:

Introverts are not humorless.

My students love my class because it is fun (so they tell me).

I do agree that Korea has certain 'expectations' about edutainment. Obama aside, many here see the way education is done leaves lots to be desired.

The question was: how can you be an introvert and teach. The answer = control your environment (does not exclude humor or fun).

Hope this helps the OP.

Skill · Joined: 06 Jul 2011 Location: London

I am an introvert and I know being around people can be draining.
This does not mean you lack social skill or communication skill but it is about your energy level and/or how intellectually aroused you are.

Sometime drinking fizzy or caffeinated energy drink helps when I really need it.

thegadfly · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

Zack,

There is a big difference between doing things one might not prefer and "becoming a different person than who you are."

I do not like to wake up early -- if I had my druthers, I would stay up late and go to sleep late. However, in the US, I was required to be at school by 6:45 am (classes began at 7:15 am).

I didn't change who I was -- I still hated getting up early...I just did it.

I will admit that some of the practices and behaviors I have had to adopt in order to do my job HAVE become part of my personality...but then, if you practice anything for nearly 20 years, I think it probably would. The organization and planning skills I have employed for my classes seem to have bled over into my everyday life. I used to be fine doing things spur-of-the-moment, and was quite comfortable making major decisions with very little time or information -- I just went with my gut feeling.

Now, I prefer to think about things, examine all side, and make plans and secondary plans. Perhaps the things I had to learn to do to become a better teacher HAVE changed who I am...or perhaps I just got older, and this is who I would have become, regardless of my chosen career. 42 is not 22, after all....

swinewho · Joined: 17 Aug 2009

morningsoju · Joined: 20 Aug 2011 Location: Seoul, Korea

all introverts eventually turn to extroverts in Korea. this is what i see soju do every weekend.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

DaHu · Joined: 09 Feb 2011

Poorly.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

As someone said earlier, you do some prep work.

Get your students doing pair work or small group work as much as possible so the focus is no longer on you but on them.

Aside from that, you have to put on your teacher persona during class time.

Not so easy to do after 5 hours of classes.

Carbon · Joined: 28 Jan 2011

lebenketten · Joined: 10 Mar 2011 Location: South Korea

Open mouth and start talking!

I'm a horribly shy person, but in front of my kids (middle school, the WORST age to deal with) I crack the worst jokes. My coworkers and I have the kind of relationship that we endlessly make fun of one another, and we'll jokingly insult each other in class. I'll use them in my examples (teaching passive voice vs active or cause and effect, "Because Tom was dropped on his head as a child, he is now crazy. Steve bit Tom. Tom was bit by Steve.") The kids always laugh and that's what gets them interested.