Uwaga: Ten odcinek porusza wrażliwe tematy, takie jak lęk i stres, które mogą nie być odpowiednie dla wszystkich czytelników lub słuchaczy. Jeśli zdecydujesz się kontynuować – proszę o rozwagę i w razie potrzeby skonsultowanie się ze specjalistą.
Stres pomaga czy przeszkadza w nauce? Czy nagła pustka w głowie to norma? A, może muszę się bardziej postarać? Zapraszam na jedenasty odcinek Umiem po angielsku.
In my teaching career, I’ve worked with representatives of various professions and positions. For instance: film makers, civil engineers, lawyers, musicians, software developers. Some of them are CEOs, directors, managers and some are employees such as specialists and assistansts. They have gained experience that is to them. Having said that, almost all of them have one thing in common. That common thing is… Anxiety. My name is Ania and you’re listening to the 11th episode of Umiem po angielku.
Levels of Stress and Their Impact
Before we begin, I’d like to share a quick disclaimer. The opinions expressed in this episode are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of others. What is more I’m not a psychologist and my goal is to explain how anxiety can impact learning, based on common knowledge and available resources. What is more, this episode discusses sensitive topics (such as anxiety) that may not be suitable for all listeners. Please use discretion if you choose to continue.
According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries anxiety is the state of feeling nervous or worried that something bad is going to happen. Stress on the other hand is pressure or worry caused by problems in somebody’s life or by having too much to do.
As far as a psychology is concerned, at least, to my knowledge, anxiety and stress are not the same thing. However, I’m going to use those two terms interchangeably today, in this episode.
Let’s start with the four levels of stress and how they can affect your learning process.
Level 1: Mobilising (Mild Stress)
Level one is mild or mobilising stress. It’s the kind of stress that gets you moving. It’s the energy boost you feel when you need to tackle your to do list or prepare for an exciting challenge. Some of its symptoms are that you feel alert and focused, capable of planning and completing daily tasks. This is the kind of stress that gets you out of bed in the morning. So its function is to activate your attention and energy at just to the right level to keep you engaged without feeling overwhelmed. So for example, imagine preparing for a short conversation in a target language, for example, in English, the wild pressure of wanting to dwell sharpens your focus and pushes you to practice.
Level 2: Challenging (Moderate Stress)
Level two is moderate stress, or challenging stress. This level kicks in during situations that demand more effort, like exams, job interviews, or public speaking. While it’s a step up from mild stress, it’s still manageable for most people. Some of the symptoms are that you might experience butterflies in your stomach, slight muscle tension or an increased urge to visit the toilet. Its function is to keep you on your toes, to help you prepare and perform well under pressure. For example, think of the stress you feel before giving presentation in front of a huge group of people. It motivates you to rehearse, ensuring you’re ready when it’s time to speak.
Level 3: Paralysing (High Stress)
Level three is high stress or paralysing. This level of stress can start to interfere with your ability to function. At this stage, anxiety feels overwhelming, and your body begins to shut down on essential processes. The symptoms you might experience are that your vision and hearing might become distorted, and you could feel disoriented or unable to concentrate. It’s like your mind goes blank. You no longer can think properly. The simplest thinking comes with a huge difficulty. This level of stress is no longer helpful. Your body is focused on survival, not problem-solving. So at this stage, you shouldn’t be learning. You should take care of yourself. You should take care of your body and mind, or probably you might even need somebody to help you.
Imagine this, you are in a shop trying to pay in cash and having difficulties to choose denomination. Denomination is a unit of value, especially of money. For example: one zloty, two zlotys, 10 zlotys, 100 zlotys. This number is a denomination. So you are in a shop trying to pay in cash and have difficulties to choose denomination. You’re unable to add five and 1.50, although every adult is capable of doing so. This is what paralysing stress does to you.
There is one more significant aspect of anxiety that I feel compelled to address here. It’s forgetting under pressure. Paralysing stress often causes memory blocks, making it difficult to recall even familiar vocabulary, and I’ve witnessed that in my lessons too many times. And what’s pretty disturbing is that people aren’t often even aware of being in such a dramatic state in those moments they think they are stupid because their mind has just drawn a blank. They believe they should remember everything when, in fact, their body is on high alert. If that happens, it’s not the time to learn. Your body is telling you that something is off, and you probably should consider seeking professional help.
Level 4: Freezing (Extreme Stress)
Level four is extreme stress. It’s also called freezing. At the highest level, stress triggers a freeze response. This is when your body locks up completely, and you feel unable to act. You are aware of what’s happening around you, but you feel physically paralysed and incapable of responding. Its function is to serve as a defense mechanism in extreme situations. It’s counterproductive in everyday life.
stress and emotions are powerful forces in language, learning by understanding their impact and using effective strategies, you can turn challenges into opportunities for growth. Remember, a little stress can be your ally, and your emotions are valuable tools for motivation. However, keep in mind that whenever you feel overwhelmed or anxious, just take a step back, and try to concentrate on your mental health and well being.
Thank you so much for listening. Take care and remember to set realistic goals, because practice is more important than perfection. Cheers!
Umiem po angielsku 