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Culture and Cross-Cultural Issues | Academic Culture | Second Language Anxiety | Communication Skills
Second Language Anxiety and Coping Strategies
Unfamiliar accents can be problematic, especially if the listeners are less willing to go beyond the difference than problematize the difference. But the focus should be more on bringing your culture to the students in the U.S.A. and, from the students' point of view, on appreciating your contribution despite linguistic challenges.
– Chan Park, Faculty, East Asian Languages and Literatures, South Korea
This chapter provides an open discussion about possible emotional stress and anxiety related to language, and the possible symptoms and consequences you may experience in U.S. classrooms as a non-native English speaking instructor. Practical strategies are provided to help you cope with second language anxiety and continue to improve general language skills. Other factors will also affect your teaching, along with the linguistic aspect--such as interpersonal, intercultural, and pedagogical dynamics--but this chapter mainly focuses on potential language issues.
Teaching at The Ohio State University is challenging for most new instructors, regardless of their linguistic and cultural backgrounds. To teach effectively, they need to understand both the students at Ohio State and its academic culture. You, as an international instructor, have extra challenges. As a newcomer in the United States, you need to adjust to the U.S. culture, which could be different from your home culture. Additionally, you may experience emotional stress and anxiety caused by difficulties expressing yourself in English.
As a non-native English speaking instructor, you may experience some level of anxiety and related unpleasant feelings, when you have to speak for the first time in front of a group of students in a U.S. classroom. The possible anxiety that you might encounter could have a negative effect on your teaching. Despite your difficulties, you may hesitate to share your concerns, or be reluctant to address the emotional stress that can be caused by language issues, because of your position as an instructor. However, this language-related anxiety and possible emotional stress should be acknowledged, considered, and overcome, so that you can display your existing abilities to the fullest.
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