Observations after becoming an ESL teacher and learning another language.

Observations after becoming an ESL teacher and learning another language. Hey, I've always wanted to share my thoughts on this since I've thought it was interesting. Before college, I wasn't fluent whatsoever. Every sentence had an issue and my confidence was shattered completely as a teenager, but it's changed a lot. Today I am an English Teacher in China, and almost never stutter when I teach in front of students. There are a couple thoughts I had on this. ​ 1) It could be related to the power dynamic between teachers and students. 2) My students are all majoring in English as their second language. I don't have anyone who is fluent in English near me, and therefore don't have a psychological fear of other people judging my language. Other people who hear stutterers' English often notice the break in fluency after all. 3) I've genuinely gotten over it by moving to a new environment. New country, new colleagues, new lifestyle, new me. ​ Well, as hopeful as number 3 is, it is completely wrong. When I speak Chinese, I have the same challenges I've had when I was a child. If it is me and a local person, it is so difficult to speak fluently but if I am with another American who is counting on my language ability, I can perform. Also, if I am studying in a class, I can speak fine as well. The only issue arises when I'm conversing with a local person. It's come to a point where I cannot even say "Thank you". I notice the block as soon as I try and say it. ​ On the bright side, I love spicy food now since I literally have no way of refusing spice. Saying "no" in Chinese is a downtoned "bu", which is just asking for a block.