Introverts and Extroverts
Rory and Abidemi discuss what type of person they are: an introvert, a quiet person, or an extrovert, an outgoing person.
Speakers: Sarah, Rory
Transcript
Track 1
Abidemi: Hi. So Rory.
Rory: Yeah, hi.
Abidemi: Hi. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Rory: Iâm not sure, you know. Sometimes I think that Iâm basically an introvert. Like as I get older, I much prefer my own company.
Abidemi: Interesting.
Rory: I donât really like going to parties that much if thereâs going to be new people there. If itâs my friends, Iâm happy to go out, but I donât know. What about you?
Abidemi: Itâs funny what you said. I feel the same way. I think sometimes Iâm an introvert and other times I can be an extrovert. But maybe in reverse to what you said. I feel like the older I get, the more extroverted I become.
Rory: Thatâs interesting.
Abidemi: While I was younger, I was a lot shier, so I preferred my own company. But now I find that sometimes too, I really enjoy people. So I like to meet new ones. So yeah.
Rory: Yes. In the classroom, as a teacher, Iâm quite an extrovert I think. I quite like being up in front of students and showing of, but I would never do that in front of other teachers or my friends, in my personal life.
Abidemi: Interesting.
Rory: But something about the classroom maybe because itâs my environment and Iâm in control that I feel more comfortable, like being more extroverted and showing off, camping up.
Abidemi: I think it would be a little difficult to be introverted if you were a language teacher. I think it certainly helps to be extroverted or to act to be able to become more extroverted when youâre in the classroom for sure. For sure.
Rory: Yeah. And have you ever done anything really extroverted, like performed in public?
Abidemi: Before I used to sing actually, and I have sang in concerts.
Rory: Right.
Abidemi: And itâs true. I think thatâs where my introverted self really comes out because although I enjoy singing, and I like the attention to a certain extent, but I get really nervous. Really, really nervous when Iâm in front of a large crowd. And sometimes Iâm like, âWhy am I doing this to myself? Why am I here?â
Rory: Yeah.
Abidemi: But yeah, I donât do that so much anymore.
Rory: Right. And do you think people can change? Do you think people â because people seem to want to become more extroverted? It seems to be like society says extroverted people are successful people.
Abidemi: Itâs true.
Rory: Do you think people can change or do you think people should try to change?
Abidemi: Iâve heard of actually people saying that depending on the language that people change with the language. Iâve heard of some of my students saying that when they speak in a different language, their personality actually changes, where maybe in their own language, they may be quieter. But when they speak the different language, they become a lot more extroverted.
Rory: Right.
Abidemi: Itâs as if they change. So whether or not itâs a real change I think you can âfake itâ quote-unquote even if youâre not an extrovert or an introvert. Maybe for a few hours or for the occasion. Yeah, you can pretend, and then go back.
Rory: Right. I wonder if when we speak a different language, we donât have the same connections with the words.
Abidemi: Thatâs true.
Rory: It makes it easier to maybe speak more honestly and not worry about what other people think of us.
Abidemi: Thatâs true.