Abstract:
The purpose of this paper is to show the exhaustion of teachers caused by surface acting that teachers feel in their everyday activities and the health problems that it causes when applying it in the class. This investigation shows different points of view of teachers when giving classes related to surface acting, health and stress. This descriptive investigation uses qualitative and quantitative methods applied through a survey and focus group, both applied to Ecuadorian Public English Teachers. This paper shows that teachers are suppressing their real feelings when giving classes and students’ interaction is an important feature that affects teachers negatively but mostly positively. Survey and focus group results show that surface acting has a close relation that ends in teachers’ exhaustion and sometimes serious health problems. Results show that teachers have ideas that can help reduce surface acting that mostly depend on authorities. This is the first time that an investigation of surface acting is applied to Ecuadorian Public English Teachers and it could be the beginning of future investigations that will help reduce surface acting in the class. This study recommends authorities by teachers’ comments to pay attention to teachers’ health caused by surface acting.
