The Imposter Syndrome 

"Imposter" or "impostor"? Discuss.

I feel insecure about being an ESL teacher from time to time. I'm not a native speaker so I sometimes question myself if I really have the right to teach English. I didn't know this was a real thing. So it's not just me who feels this. This video just put my thoughts into words! What I do every time I feel that way, I try to learn English more and more and work on my accent to sound more American, learn advanced vocabs, and so on. I never let it stop me although deep inside, I really doubt myself. Thanks so much for this video, Tutor Joe!

I thought I was the only one with doubts. I just told my husband this morning that I should look for another job. Thank you for this video.

When I was asked to teach Intercultural Communication for my University last semester, I started to wonder whether I was the most suitable candidate for the position. I had a chat with a colleague about this and we had a good discussion on imposter syndrome. He gave me the confidence to focus on the teaching and sharing knowledge. I tried to focus on my experiences and then share this with my post-graduate students. However, I was keen to let my students know that I was probably not the most appropriate but they respected my candid and transparent approach. As always, a really interesting and useful topic Joe.

oh my hat!! I really needed this... I just got my TEFL certificate and now the pressure is on!! Its real!!! I'm so freaking nervous and the self doubt is dominating the passion inside me that started me on this journey in the first place. I've been watching countless videos in hopes of easing my anxiety and this one actually allowed me to breath for the first time... Can't thank you enough for your honesty...love your content and down to earth advice!!

Wow Joe! You must have made this video a long time ago. I really needed it. I have been teaching online for over a year now and I have only now been suffering from the imposter syndrome. Your video was like an answer to a prayer for me. Thank you..

Thank you for this video. Its something I suffer with a lot. Its very helpful to see others feel this too. Great coping tips too. X

Joe is the World's best teacher. 😂 Had fun watching this and found this relatable and very useful. Thank you!

I've been feeling like this for days! Thanks, Joe 💜

Excellent! So many good things but I'll comment on one. I especially like how you talk about how we can make the teaching experience better by recording and analyzing what works. There is a performance aspect to teaching, especially online teaching. I always learn a lot from your videos, Joe.

Brilliant Joe! Thank you for some really great tips as usual - and your thoughtful analysis 😎

Your videos are always very engaging and this one is no exception! ❤ I certainly suffer from this syndrome, just hadn’t heard of it before! I believe there’s always room for improvement and there are many times I say to myself at the end of the session “you could’ve done better”!

This is a brilliant video and arrived at a very appropriate time in my teaching journey. I started teaching earlier this year. I’m on the Demo team, and I pretty much only do Demos right now. I don’t understand why, as I feel I’m not good at them, but yet I still get them! It’s clear you’ve worked super hard on this video Joe. I love the editing. It’s fantastic. Great work! All the best, Teacher Kate

Thank you for your video! It has helped me a lot.

Hello Joe, thank you so much for the video! I've been teaching for over 15 years and still struggle with such feelings sometimes. I know that most of my insecurities come from being a NNEST. Of course, I know that being a NS doesn't mean you can teach the language, but being fully qualified and with lots of experience under my belt, I still feel inadequate in certain aspects. Anyway, thanks for sharing!

I wish you a million subscribers so you go on making videos. I just love them!

Really thought-provoking, Joe! I’m definitely going to try recording myself - and I’m pretty sure I’m going to cringe, too! But I see the value in it because I will recognise areas where I can change, which will only serve to better my ability to teach effectively 👌🏼😊

A good think piece Joe. Thank you for this and the previous videos. I am 76 and have some life experience. For me, the impostxx has departed when I finally found the purpose, the gifts, I was created with and "did" life inside of that place. It has been in seasons. Thank you again.

Hi Joe, good to see you again. In these times of isolation, doubting oneself is more and more common. I find myself reviewing more classes, some good, some not so good. I find elements, of what I thought was a good class, that definitely need improving and sometimes classes that I thought were badly taught by me at the time, on reflection weren't quite as bad as I had initially thought and felt. I would say be prepared to criticize yourself but don't beat yourself up and always accept positive, constructive criticism. Stay safe mate, Digital Normad Norman

I can't believe this... I have just discussed this with one loyal friend and he was shocked to hear it from me (he thinks of me as someone confident). At that time, I did not need any advice. Him listening to me was more than enough. Thank you Joe for being so real and honest. 🙌

Brilliant video Joe, like I've commented before it could be me talking most of the time, I am on the same wavelength (I am also form Yorkshire!)...I could comment on every minute of this, but will limit myself to the exercise thing. I teach 6 days online and Monday is a free day, we go on 15 kms hikes...Tuesday is so easy then, and gradually the week gets harder..my wife was a sports and gymnastics teacher, and she goes out Nordic walking when I am in front of the computer, in Summer I can still find energy to go out, but now in Winter with pools closed due to pandemic, I'm limited to indoor trampoline! Anyway thank you for your vidos you deserve a lot of subscribers.

Absolutely fantastic. I watched twice. First time I was so enthusiastic to see the editing, acting and the whole story. The second time, I paid attention to the content more. Keep up the amazing work. You are trully an inspiration and everything a teacher should be nowadays. 👏👏👏

I'm a new online teacher, I felt this way from the start. It's a constant battle to ensure I I don't get the better of myself. I'm still trying to find my teaching style but I won't give up. This vid helped a lot, glad to know I'm not alone. BTW.. You need to step up that dance.. Where is the rose between the lips🌹😋

Awesome Joe!

This is a good video and some good advice. I think what I struggle with is low self-esteem.

No comments on the dance? Wowwwwww. You put yourself out there like that and... 😅

my students all think I don't eat food...They are shocked when they see my eat food in a shop or take my kids out to eat.

I didn't really feel like talking about this but here I am. They ended my contract all of a sudden stating they will only take "teachers belonging to a highly selective category". Now after 3 years and a half and almost 4,000 successfully taught lessons with an average of 9,70 and considering that some students stopped studying there after I have been thrown out, I don't imagine that I was THAT disposable. I would like to ask the lovely consultants in here if I anyone else received the ending of agreement letter.

Love the video! It made me reflect on a couple of things that I do that maybe I could improve. I guess, after you teach online sometimes you just get confortable and forget about little things that do make a big difference. Question, what website do you use to find the history and etymology for words? Thanks Joe 😊

Thanks for the video

You certainly don't kiss your boss on the cheek now even if you want to! 🤣

Your videos just keep getting better and better. You make me laugh. You make me think. I have felt like a fraud every time I cannot seem to get a student (who I believe is capable) to engage and produce. Today I had a regular who would not produce a single sentence independently - at level 6. I was not sure if the student was even listening. They would occasionally parrot part of a phrase, and that was all. It felt like pulling teeth - with tweezers! It was a low point in my day. For me, it really struck home just how important I can be to my students when I had a class of adults. I had an engineer, a nurse, a kindergarten teacher, and a university geography teacher. Where I am from, every one of these people makes more money than me and excelled in academic areas in which I struggled. I was intimidated...until I realized they were afraid to make mistakes in front of me. They cared what I thought, and were still self-conscious about putting themselves out there. They trusted me to teach them skills that *I* possess, and to validate their learning experience. This was both empowering and humbling. I really tried to use their professional experiences to bolster their confidence and to show I care about them as individuals. I try to always teach that mistakes are simply opportunities to improve. When I have low points, I try to remember how I felt in that class. It reminds me how much I have to offer.

Hey Joe, I really appreciate all the advice you give. :) Do you think it's possible to start teaching online now, with no experience, just from the 120hr TEFL Course? It's something I really want to do, even if I had to start small or slow. I'd just like to know that it can happen. Thanks! :)

Awesome video Joe! Something we can all resonate with at some stages in our careers. Where have you been? Missed your content. Joe, I was wondering if I could contact you... it's quite urgent and I think you can help me.

Hello Joe, I find these videos you make very informative. I have another question concerning online tutoring, I hear they prefer to hire women over men. Is there any truth to this ?

Great video 👌 what program do you use to create your videos?

Sound advice. Do you you teach more kids or adults?

wow, you are absolutely right.

This video deserves 1million views 😍

I just love your videos... you’re so cool 👍

Hi Joe. Thanks for the awesome content. I would love to know if it's possible for me to get in contact with you? Cheers!

Hello Joe :) Are you still working for ITG?

Sound advice Joe...

Hello Joe, I have trouble teaching a small child some basic English words. We are doing online material, with animation, picture, EVERYTHING, but still the child does not understand.... Recently her mother left me a note saying she likes my approach but after the class child has no clue what had happend... How can I make this child understand? Example: I am showing my hand and telling her what it is, still afterwards she has no clue... WTF DO I DO :(

Hi Mr. Joe, I love your videos. Please, how do I get an ESL job from Nigeria?

A recent episode of NPRs Hidden Brain said those who are critical of themselves actually achieve meaningful success. If you don't think you know "enough", not good enough, it can turn into ever ongoing self improvement. Have a listen if you're looking for more!

1 dis already, talk about polarizing