Will they find out I’m a fraud?

Imposter syndrome

1. Read the dictionary definition of ‘imposter syndrome’. Then, discuss the

questions.

imposter syndrome: a psychological condition which is characterised by a

constant doubt over one's abilities or achievements accompanied by the fear
of being exposed as a fraud despite evidence of one's success.

• How common do you think imposter syndrome is?

• What factors might be responsible for inducing imposter syndrome?
• What kind of people most commonly suffer from imposter syndrome?
• What advice would you give to a friend experiencing imposter syndrome?
• What negative effects could imposter syndrome trigger in someone?

2. Complete the five facts. Write one word in each gap.

a) Imposter syndrome affects more w………….. than m………….. .
b) Those who suffer from imposter syndrome are often high a………….. .
c) P………….. is a common trait in people who experience imposter syndrome.
d) Imposter syndrome is not classified as a m………….. i………….. .
e) Impostor syndrome is often accompanied by a………….. or d………….. .

3. Below are nine typical comments from people who experience imposter
syndrome. Match the two parts of each comment.
a) I’ll get 1) belong here.
b) I should just 2) better than me.
c) I feel like a 3) found out.
d) I’m never 4) onto me.
e) I don’t 5) I’m a fake.
f) I’m just 6) good enough.
g) Everyone will know 7) give up.
h) They’re 8) lucky.
i) Others are 9) fraud.

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 Will they find out I’m a fraud? Imposter syndrome

4. You are going to watch a video in which a high achiever describes her
experience with imposter syndrome. Watch the video [https://youtu.be/5EP-
ljBlf38] and discuss the questions.
a) What was Michelle Obama told by her high school counsellor?
………………………………………………………………………………………….
b) Which two groups of children does she mention as ‘not belonging’?
………………………………………………………………………………………….
c) What does she mean by (to) ‘have a stigma in my own head’?
………………………………………………………………………………………….
d) What question does she repeatedly ask herself?
………………………………………………………………………………………….
e) Which two groups of people does she believe also ask themselves this
question?
………………………………………………………………………………………….
f) What helped Michelle Obama deal with her imposter syndrome?
………………………………………………………………………………………….
g) Which two aspects of herself does she give when referring to the need to
prove herself?
………………………………………………………………………………………….
h) Why do you think Michelle Obama is speaking out about imposter syndrome
in this way?
………………………………………………………………………………………….

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 Will they find out I’m a fraud? Imposter syndrome

5. Read Ten ways to cope with imposter syndrome. Discuss each piece of
advice with a partner. Explain what it means, giving examples from a
familiar context, and choose the best three pieces of advice.

Ten ways to cope with imposter syndrome

• Learn how to recognize the signs. • Try not to be a perfectionist.

• Talk to a mentor or a good friend.
• Treat yourself as you’d treat a
friend.
• Remember that you aren’t alone.
• Don’t compare yourself to others.
• Build a strong support network.
• Be kind to yourself.
• Keep a record of your successes.
• Say ‘yes’ to opportunities.

6. Talk about it! Take turns to choose a task, a question or a quote and talk
about it for two minutes.

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