Abstract:

As ESL/EFL studies become more focused on group-work and pair-work, introverted students remain in the background of the modern classrooms. With the majority of the newer student textbooks focusing on team building and joint activities, introverted students cannot step out of the extroverts’ shadow. Research even suggests that teachers prefer the extroverted students who happily participate in class discussions and group activities over the quiet, inward-oriented introverts. Many regard the introverted students as shy, but introversion is not limited to shyness. This paper will discuss the ways in which introverts can improve their participation in class and improve their skills for working as a part of a group. Small but meaningful changes to the ways we teach ESL/EFL can influence the teaching process for the introverts greatly.

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