Job Discussion Forums

[vikeologist]

It might be difficult for a teacher to learn to pronounce 100 or so Chinese names correctly, (because it's not just the phonemes, but also the tones), but if a student wanted to be called by their Chinese name, I'd certainly oblige. They tend to conform with the majority who choose to have English names.

The thing about names is that Chinese people tend to have a far wider range of names for themselves than we do. Probably just about everybody in our lives calls us by our first name, but it seems like most Chinese people go by 4 or 5 different names, and they're quite comfortable with that.

Most of my students will go into International business of some kind, and having a normal English name will be part of establishing a good business relationship, but names are important, so I'm happy to go along with whatever the students want to be called, (though obviously I give them some strong advice if their chosen name is grossly inappropriate).

[johntpartee]

Out of the thousands of students I've taught (all ages, all levels) I've NEVER encountered anyone who was not amenable to an English name; not the slightest reluctance. Most of them enjoy choosing a name (or having me give some suggestions for a handle).

[zactherat]

[isitts]

[johntpartee]

[Banner41]

When I studied French in H.S they gave us French names.....when I studied Spanish in College they gave us Hispanic names.....Not once did I feel like my cultural identity was being hijacked. It's an English class so......

[choudoufu]

[johntpartee]

[teachingld2004]

Well,

[teachingld2004]

Well, day 2 was better then day one.

Lets make this clear. I love teaching and do try my best.

Things is, I have to give them grades.

I don't know about all other universities, but mine only give oral english to the first and second year students.

What I did find out yesterday was that these students did not "make it" into a regular university. These students do not get a degree, just a certificate. I was told that most o them will be primary school teachers.

This school is part of my university. it is a teachers college. I do not understand this system, but i will "go with the flow". So I will have to get a different mind set.

Using their books are not possible, but there are some good lessons in there. I will rewrite them and make them more simple. I only have 8 hours per week, and do not have to be in the school any other times. So I certainly can easily spend the time to rewrite lessons.

I had them put their names in Pinyin on my seating chart, and told them if they had an English name they can write it in also. I did not check the names until I got home. Most of them are fine, but I do have to tell them to change "truck", and "P u s s y". And if anyone can help me out and explain why "P u s s y" is not an acceptable name, please help me out on that one

[johntpartee]

Nothing wrong with "*beep*" (no pun intended). Only if you make it a problem. Nothing wrong with "Truck", either. Let them have the names they want. I've seen some odd ones, e.g., Demon, Pillow, Ta-ta.

As an aside, I was showing a class the phonetic alphabet (alpha, bravo, charlie........) and everytime I said "lima" there were giggles. I finally asked what it meant in Chinese. It means to have sex with one's mother.

Bottom line, it's what the listener wants to read into it.

Edit: I guess there is something wrong with it, OP, the filter bleeped it.

[Javelin of Radiance]

[choudoufu]

hotel management majors chose names today.

most were nice, standard names (they will eventually be
working with fur'ners), although many chose names they
were unable to pronounce.

one boy chose lee. fine, but his last name is li.
"hi, my name is LiLi." okay.....

another boy wants to be elvis, yet never heard of the king.
i'll play a youtube clip before listening class. suppose it'll
be okay, assuming he works as a bellhop and gets to
wear a sequin jumpsuit.

one girl chose echo. sounds more like a japanese anime
character. the bunnymen were japanese, right?

[santi84]

I have always used Chinese names but I think I am an exception.

In regards to ridiculous or offensive names, I just use the "it is not a name for a person/unnatural" card and then move on. Some students like to get away with it as a joke, I'm sure by now, the student knows what a "truck" is and knows that it is not a name for a person.

Then again.........

[johntpartee]