Korean Job Discussion Forums

[GreatUnderachiever]

My friend also wants to go to Korea to teach but is worried that she will be too shy. I have recommended for her to give it a go anyway.. and that being an EFL instructor for kids in Korea may actually bring her out of her shell.

Anyway if you guys have any comments or strategies on how she might cope, feel free.

[andrewchon]

I'd say she could use watching Leo Buscaglia talking about love. Videos of him giving talks are available on Yuutube. Assertiveness training maybe of some use, but if she is shy with people who are obviously friendly than that would be a too strong a medicine. She'll need that later, when dealing with apathetic or even hostile.

[Ibsen]

Does she have any experience tutoring or teaching? I tutored for a while in the U.S. and although I am generally a shy person too, I found out that classroom settings are comfortable for me. Giving presentations in class were nerve wracking for me back in college, but when you have students in front of you it is a different feeling, in my experience at least. So even though she is shy, she could potentially do just fine being an ESL teacher.

[missty]

I too am really shy, and doing presentations were always a nightmare for me. But I don't have any problems in front of the class at all. I've been teaching ESL for five years and had little to no problems in the classroom. In fact it has built my confidence up a lot coming here and I feel like a much stronger person than I was before.

In fact when taking my CELTA I was shocked to see that the quieter people did really well, but this one guy who was really outgoing and loud completely crumbled in front of a class of students. So I don't see why this should stop your friend from coming over here, she may actually find out that she's a great teacher!

[waynehead]

Same as above. Shyness no longer plays any factor at all in me teaching, after you accumulate enough experience you get the confidence to go along. Public speaking front of peers or superiors is still somewhat nerve-racking for me, but I've gained confidence there, too.

One thing's for sure, if you don't give it a go, you'll never overcome it.

[wishfullthinkng]

just remember, shyness, as with other mental states such as fear, happiness/depression, etc., can be changed simply by changing how you choose to think.

and yes, it truly is that easy. denial is powerful, but your mind is much more so.

[GreatUnderachiever]

Great responses! Thanks!

[myenglishisno]

In order to be a teacher in Korea, one needs to be able to overcome a strenuous battery of questions designed to weed out the able from the unable to insure Korean youngsters are put to the test with the West's best and brightest. The questions are as follows:

Question #1

Is your friend a native English speaker?

Phew... that may have been difficult! Anyway, it's not over yet! One more until the finish line:

Question #2

Is your friend alive (as in not a zombie)?

If you answered 'YES' to both questions, your friend is on the road to becoming an English teacher in South Korea.

Congratulations!

[Julius]

[northway]

[ironclad80]

I've always been considered a shy person. When I decided to come to Korea I shocked many people. I don't mind teaching in front of students at all, that's where I thrive. I know many folks who are super-outgoing but would be deathly to live and work in another country or teach in front of 30+ students.

Don't let your fears stop you!

[Vix]

Just fake it and be overly bubbly with lots of gestures. Works for me

[Squire]

I'd consider myself introverted but don't mind taking classes one bit. It really does feel different talking in front of kids as opposed to adults

Having said that, if your friend is too shy to post a thread on a forum maybe she IS too shy to be a teacher

[dmillika]

It's surprising how easy it is to 'turn off' your mind to feelings of shyness etc. once you get up in front of the room.

[Julius]