| Are you an ESL teacher? Are you dreaming of "la | | | | important than what you know. People who are too |
| bella vita"? You could be blissful teaching English in Italy. | | | | introverted are often overlooked, or worse, become |
| Or you could be miserable Which will it be? Take a | | | | food for gossip. You don't want a bad or ambiguous |
| close look at your personality and character before | | | | reputation stacked against you when you're trying to |
| making the decision to teach English in "the boot". | | | | make a name for yourself as an ESL teacher. |
| 1) Are you flexible? If you answered "no", you might be | | | | 4) Are you traditional? Yes, you have to be a bit on |
| better off choosing a different country. In Italy, things | | | | the conservative/traditional side. Italy is very attached |
| don't always run smoothly or on time. At the local | | | | to its "roots" of the Catholic religion and close family |
| Trenitalia station in Salerno, it's typical to see trains | | | | units, especially in the southern part of the country in |
| coming and going off-schedule. Meetings almost | | | | the regions of Campania, Calabria, Puglia and Sicilia. |
| always start much later than planned. Your | | | | People who are too progressive may not have an |
| expectations of someone or something (even an | | | | easy time carving their niche. Don't object to a crucifix |
| employer) may be completely different from the | | | | in the classroom. Respect the family structure- and in |
| reality. Try to be as informed as possible, but don't be | | | | Italy this even extends to second and third cousins. |
| surprised if things don't work out the way you | | | | Always treat people decently and with plenty of |
| envisioned them. Take it in stride and add it to your | | | | hospitality. If an Italian visits your home, be sure to offer |
| growing list of "learning experiences". | | | | the standard cup of coffee (espresso Italian-style) and |
| 2) Are you assertive? If you answered yes, that's a | | | | a bite to eat. This should be enough to get you a |
| good thing. You really have to "put yourself out there" | | | | passing mark from the Italians. |
| to get anywhere in Italy, and that even means waiting | | | | 5) Are you energetic? Italians are very energetic and |
| in line at the post office (where Italians pay their bills). | | | | often even exuberant. They can be loud and animated. |
| The Italian personality sometimes borders on pushy, | | | | If you have any doubts, just sit down to lunch with an |
| and you have to be ready to assert yourself to get | | | | Italian family. Your ears will be ringing after the meal, |
| what you want. This is different from being aggressive. | | | | and you may have difficulty remembering what was |
| In general, Italians appreciate assertive types, but they | | | | said, but you will have an appreciation for the |
| loathe aggressive ones. Stay within the limits, and you'll | | | | importance of "drama" in Italian communication. If you |
| be fine. | | | | aren't very expressive or energetic, it may be difficult |
| 3) Are you social? Italians love to be social. You can | | | | for you to relate to the Italian personality. |
| see them networking at business inaugurations, playing | | | | Everyone is unique, but being flexible, social, assertive, |
| cards in the local "piazza" and chatting up | | | | traditional and energetic will help you navigate more |
| acquaintances in line at the supermarket. They don't | | | | easily in Italy. When making a decision on your ESL |
| much like being alone. If you're an extrovert and like to | | | | teaching destination, take a moment to analyze your |
| make friends and add acquaintances to your contact | | | | character strengths and weaknesses. If you answered |
| list, you will be in a good position to take advantage of | | | | "no" to three or more questions on the list, you may |
| Italy's social networks. Who you know is much more | | | | want to reconsider teaching English in Italy. |