Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ryst Helmut]

Ok, so I am stumped as to why my students (university kids) think that it not only acceptable, but common for a North American student (regardless of age) to call his/her teacher by the teacher's given name.

I teach a culture course and could swear I didn't teach them that as I grew up appending Mr. Ms. Mrs. Dr. Prof.... to their names. IF we were friendly I'd call them Mr. H (or what not).

Anyone else raised differently...I mean, is calling a teacher (in North America) by their first name acceptable?

Thanks.

!shoosh,

Ryst

[Alyallen]

[VanIslander]

I never knew the given names of my teachers.

I would like my students to call me by my given name, but they always append it with "teacher" for local manners.

[Woland]

At my rather liberal uni, professors in my major dept (Russian Lang and Lit) were on a first name basis for me, as well as affiliated profs (like the Russian history specialist in the History dept). Other profs, though, were Dr. So-and-So. And the use of given names was by invitation. There were only four of them, a small group of maybe a dozen of us, all giving/taking the same classes, seeing each other every day. It just seemed more normal to use first names.

[faster]

In the US I had a number of teachers & profs who preferred first names, but they were definitely a minority.

At my job I'd love to let my kids call me by my first name, but no dice: the policy dictates "mr. faster."

[eamo]

At uni a professor here and there would say to use his/her first name.

At high school? Never. Always Mr. _____.

[RACETRAITOR]

In grade school, a teacher's first name was a closely guarded secret.

[Ryst Helmut]

Ok, thanks gang...I wasn't sure if I was raised in Snootyville or not (for those that know me in the real world...do NOT answer that).

I'm going to ask my students why they think it's ok...I mean, who taught them that....

!shoosh,

Ryst

[skdragon]

At every university I have studied at all the profs asked us to call them by their first names. Rarely did any undergrad use the profs first name over Dr whatever, but at postgrad level first names always. I guess it depends on the western culture (not being NA), and the individual prof.

[chevro1et]

Yea, high school was always Mr. or Mrs. but my university in Western Canada profs always insisted on given names.

[waltjocketty]

High school was mr./mrs. xyz. college was first names. i went to a liberal arts school, though, where half the kids didn't wear shoes to class and we took one class at a time for a month, so i dont think my school was typical.

[420bro]

My univ. students always call me "sir" or "professor". I hate them both and insist that they call me by my first name. They do enough bowing to make me feel that they respect me. I dont need to ask them to give me a pretentious title too

[Novernae]

A teacher in grade school was always Mr, Mrs, Ms Jones (or actually Mme, Mlle, or M. Robichau). In university it went both ways; The closer, more liberal profs were on a first name or nickname basis, but the more conservative or lesser known profs were Dr. or Prof. Surname.
I'm guessing the misconception is rooted in the fact that most foreign teachers here are called Joe Teacher, or Jane Teacher. I don't know how that got started, but it didn't come from traditional Western titles. My guess is that people figured first names were easier to say and it went from there.

[Kyrei]

Grade school - no first names ever. At university, things were a little different, but only because I was a drama major and often found myself in plays with professors (either on or off campus). On campus and in class it was always Dr. XXX with one exception: my directing course instructor was not a PhD so she wanted us to call her Liz. Otherwise we went back to first names.

[kat2]

I've never called a teacher or prof by thier given name except for a few hippie English profs at my college. But I would never consider it unless the prof specifically asked me to call him by his first name. Totally taboo.