When researching language learning development for my PhD (‘The development of language acquisition in a mature learner’) four aspects stood out as being most important to the learner (me). One of these was ‘attitude’ and our personality often presents an attitude, in teachers and in students.
What is personality? For this presentation it is ‘The combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual’s distinctive character.’
Discussion:
(This summary does not always provide an answer to the discussion questions for they are often unique to the individuals concerned.)
Who was your best teacher when you were at school?
Why did you think he or she was good?
Many of us selected teachers who were flamboyant and acted.
Which personality are you? Tick the number of characteristics that match your characteristics:
1 duty fulfiller
- thorough, responsible, and dependable
- interested in traditions and establishments
- well-organized and hard working
- can usually accomplish any task once you have set your mind to it
2 mechanic
- interested in how and why things work
- risk-taker who lives for the moment
- uncomplicated in your desires
- not overly concerned with respecting laws and rules if they get in the way of getting something done
- detached and analytical, you excel at finding solutions to practical problems
3 nurturer
- can be depended on to follow through
- usually puts the needs of others above your own needs
- stable and practical, value security and traditions
- extremely perceptive of other’s feelings, interested in serving others
4 artist
- do not like conflict, and not likely to do things which may generate conflict
- loyal and faithful
- extremely well-developed senses, and aesthetic appreciation for beauty
- not interested in leading or controlling others
- flexible and open-minded
5 protector
- quietly forceful, original, and sensitive
- tend to stick to things until they are done
- extremely intuitive about people, and concerned for their feelings
- well-developed value systems which you strictly adhere to
- individualistic, rather than leading or following
6 idealist
- quiet, reflective, and idealistic
- interested in serving humanity
- well-developed value system
- extremely loyal, adaptable and laid-back unless a strongly-held value is threatened
- mentally quick, and able to see possibilities
- interested in understanding and helping people
7 scientist
- independent, original, analytical, and determined
- have an exceptional ability to turn theories into solid plans of action
- highly value knowledge, competence, and structure
- long-range thinker
- have very high standards of performance,
- natural leader, but will follow if you trust existing leaders
8 thinker
- logical, original, creative thinkers
- can become very excited about theories and ideas
- exceptionally capable and driven to turn theories into clear understandings
- highly value knowledge, competence and logic
- quiet and reserved
- individualistic, having no interest in leading or following others
9 doer
- friendly, adaptable, action-oriented
- are focused on immediate results
- live in the here-and-now
- a risk-taker who lives a fast-paced lifestyle
- impatient with long explanations
- extremely loyal to your peers, but not usually respectful of laws and rules
- great people skills
Discussion:
Which personality type are you?
Many of us realized that we are a mixture of the above. It is the descriptions that matter most, no necessarily the name of the personality type.
Discussion: Which personality type(s) make the best teachers?
This is a matter of opinion and different personality types of teachers suit different personality types of student.
Another look at personalities:
Understanding the Myers Briggs type indicator
WORKSHEET
Place these descriptions in the correct boxes where there are * s:
e.g. Think to clarify thoughts
Speak to clarify thoughts
- Critical
- Prefer breadth over depth
- Controlled
- Process information through the five senses
- Process information through patterns
- Realistic
- Prefer depth over breadth
- Relaxed
- Inventive
- Empathetic
| Introvert | Extrovert |
| Gain energy from inner world | Gain energy from outer world |
| e.g. Thinks to clarify thoughts
|
Speaks to clarify thoughts
|
| * | * |
| Initially is seen as difficult to get to know | Initially seen as easy to get to know |
| Likes to work independently | Prefers to work with others |
| Few close relationships | Many relationships |
| Concentration | Interaction |
| Reflects before making decisions | Tends to make decisions quickly |
(S) Sensing vs. (N) Intuitive
| Sensing | Intuition |
| * | * |
| Thinks in the here and now | Thinks of future possibilities |
| Concrete thinkers | Abstract thinkers |
| Notices details | Sees big picture |
| Practical | Idealistic |
| Factual | Theoretical |
| Gather info from what they can see | Gathers info from underlying patterns |
| * | * |
(T) Thinking vs. (F) Feeling
| Thinking | Feeling |
| Decides with head | Decides with heart |
| Judge based on logic | Judge based on feelings |
| Driven by thought | Driven by emotion |
| * | * |
| Gives priority to truth | Gives priority to relationships |
| Impersonal | Personal |
| Not easily upset by others’ remarks | Takes remarks personally |
| Rational | Passionate |
(J) Judging vs. (P) Perceiving
| Judging | Perceiving |
| Like to finish one job before starting another | Start many things without finishing |
| Prefer to move towards closure | Keeps options open |
| Structured | Flexible |
| Prefers to plan before taking action | Spontaneous with actions |
| * | * |
| Organized | Disorganized |
| Tends to stick to a plan | Tends to change decisions midway |
| Responsible | Tends to procrastinate |
source: http://understandmyersbriggs.blogspot.co.uk/p/description-of-8-letters.html accessed 97/04/18
Answers
WORKSHEET
Place these descriptions in the correct boxes:
e.g. Thinks to clarify thoughts
Speaks to clarify thoughts
- Critical
- Prefer breadth over depth
- Controlled
- Process information through the five senses
- Process information through patterns
- Realistic
- Prefer depth over breadth
- Relaxed
- Inventive
- Empathetic
| Introvert | Extrovert |
| Gain energy from inner world | Gain energy from outer world |
| e.g. Think to clarify thoughts | e.g. Speak to clarify thoughts |
| * prefer depth over breadth (7) | * prefer breadth over depth (2) |
| Initially is seen as difficult to get to know | Initially seen as easy to get to know |
| Likes to work independently | Prefers to work with others |
| Few close relationships | Many relationships |
| Concentration | Interaction |
| Reflects before making decisions | Tends to make decisions quickly |
(S) Sensing vs. (N) Intuitive
| Sensing | Intuition |
| *process information through 5 senses (4) | *process information through patterns (5) |
| Thinks in the here and now | Thinks of future possibilities |
| Concrete thinkers | Abstract thinkers |
| Notices details | Sees big picture |
| Practical | Idealistic |
| Factual | Theoretical |
| Gather info from what they can see | Gathers info from underlying patterns |
| * realistic (6) | * inventive (9) |
(T) Thinking vs. (F) Feeling
| Thinking | Feeling |
| Decides with head | Decides with heart |
| Judge based on logic | Judge based on feelings |
| Driven by thought | Driven by emotion |
| *critical (1) | * empathetic (10) |
| Gives priority to truth | Gives priority to relationships |
| Impersonal | Personal |
| Not easily upset by others’ remarks | Takes remarks personally |
| Rational | Passionate |
(J) Judging vs. (P) Perceiving
| Judging | Perceiving |
| Like to finish one job before starting another | Start many things without finishing |
| Prefer to move towards closure | Keeps options open |
| Structured | Flexible |
| Prefers to plan before taking action | Spontaneous with actions |
| * controlled (3) | * relaxed (8) |
| Organized | Disorganized |
| Tends to stick to a plan | Tends to change decisions midway |
| Responsible | Tends to procrastinate |
source: http://understandmyersbriggs.blogspot.co.uk/p/description-of-8-letters.html accessed 7/04/18
Discussion:
Which 4 of these indicators best describe your personality?
How do these indicators affect your teaching?
My indicators
- I reflect before making decisions
- I am realistic
- I decide with the head rather than the heart
- I am organized
How do these affect your teaching?
For me:
(reflect) I reflect on failed lessons, work out a plan to improve matters and apply it
(realistic) I assume nothing. I give explanations of everything I can.
(decide with head) I don’t give in easily when students want to finish the lesson early without reason.
(organized) When there is too much work and no time to do it, I draw up plans for survival.
Discussion:
Can we can develop new traits in ourselves that will assist our students’ learning?
How would you change if you could?
What are the pros and cons of doing this?
In summary
We are who we are and there is no changing it except when we make choices to ACT as if we have different personality traits that will help us teach and our students learn.
References:
https://www.edustaff.co.uk/blog/80_
Ely For Language 