| Abstract [eng] |
Music teachers, when faced with various responsibilities in their work, experience anxiety, which can later have a negative impact on the quality and health of their work. This thesis analyses the factors of professional anxiety and stage fright for music teachers and their management strategies. Object of the study – professional anxiety of music teachers and its prevention. Aim of the study – to reveal the causes of professional anxiety of music teachers and their prevention. The following tasks were set for the implementation of the study: to discuss the theoretical aspects of the modern music teacher profession; to describe the concept of anxiety and fear; to find out strategies for managing professional anxiety and stage fright; to carry out a study in order to reveal the factors (professional) causing professional anxiety to music teachers and its prevention. Theoretical (analysis of scientific and methodological literature sources) and empirical (semi-structured interview) methods were used for the study. 6 music teachers working in Šiauliai city general education institutions were interviewed. After analysing the scientific and methodological literature and conducting empirical research, the following conclusions were obtained: 1) a modern music teacher must be a versatile, qualified specialist in his/her field, using the acquired knowledge in practice, responsible, confidently expressing his/her opinion, sincere, understanding, a good friend of pupils. Music teachers teach students not only during lessons, but also organise extracurricular activities, school events, prepare students for stage performances, competitions at school and outside the school. They must have stage experience and be able to pass it on to students, steer them in the right direction and, if necessary, assist them; 2) anxiety is a mounting emotion, occuring when we think about what has happened or what will happen in the future. The emotion of fear is the inner experience that results from a person's experiences, aspirations and demands. Anxiety and fear are closely related emotions that have similarities (a person’s physical and mental reactions, obsessive thoughts, behavioural changes) and differences (anxiety lies inside the person’s inner conflict with himself/herself, and fear is a natural reaction to new, unknown phenomena). These two emotions are deeply connected – fear can arise from constant anxiety, and anxiety can occur when confronted with fear; 3) teachers' professional anxiety is related to personal, physical and social conditions. For a teacher, professional anxiety can be caused by excessive workload, excessive administrative requirements, lack of competencies or knowledge. Factors causing stage fright: insufficient preparation, feeling of uncertainty, non-fulfilment of expectations set for oneself, negative reactions from the audience. If a teacher is anxious or has stage fright, is unable to control his/her experiences, then these processes can have a negative impact on the teacher’s health, environment, and quality of work; 4) it is possible to learn how to control the professional anxiety and stage fright. There are various ways to manage the occupational anxiety strategy: self-analysis and cognition, setting of realistic and clear goals without overestimating personal abilities, physical activity, meditation, time planning, sleeping, engaging in favourite activities, anxiety management planning. To overcome the stage fright, one must try not to idealize personal goals, to be on the stage as often as possible, to develop patience and endurance, to use various breathing exercises that help to relax; 5) the study revealed that music teachers understand what professional anxiety and stage fright are. It turned out that teachers experience external and internal factors of professional anxiety. External factors: requirements of the school administration, organisation of and participation in events, communication with colleagues. Internal factors: mood swings, obsessive thoughts, physiological signs, health changes, and use of medication. It turned out that music teachers experience stage fright, during which they feel physical and emotional signs. Professional anxiety is most experienced by music teachers at the beginning of their pedagogical work, and it also occurs even with more years of working experience. Teachers are familiar with anxiety prevention techniques that are necessary to manage professional anxiety and stage fright: emotional self-control, purposeful personal time planning, physical activity, breathing exercises, self-education, use of medications, psychologist help, collaboration with colleagues, students and their parents. Music teachers who have experienced professional anxiety and stage fright can learn to manage anxiety processes at work and avoid them in the future by applying acceptable anxiety prevention techniques. |
