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Chapter 19

What Is Stress?

Stress is mental or physical tension or a feeling of urgency or pressure.
Because you have come to the United States from a foreign country,
you must expect to encounter stress. Stress can result from change
in culture, language, climate, surroundings, work, or even actual dan-
gers. Extreme stress can lead to burnout and also become a serious
health problem.
Recognizing stress is the first step to alleviating it. The issue
may not be black and white. Culture shock is certainly a part of the
stress equation for the foreign born. “Language shock” is sometimes
overlooked. Many advanced English as a Second Language/English
as a Foreign Language (ESL/EFL) learners have studied English in
their countries. They read, write, speak, and understand the English
language . . . in their countries. When these learners try to function in
English in the United States, however, they experience the shock of
thinking that they must have learned a language other than English.
Skill-related stress enters here because these people are now called
upon to perform in English, and at a high level. Studying English in
your native country and using the language on the job in the United
States involve very different skills. The language learners may even be

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