Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Corporal]

We've talked about this before as well, but for the purpose of this thread I'd prefer we not discuss the merits of them having English names as opposed to not forcing our imperialist culture on them, blah blah...

So, if you DO have to or want to give English names to the kids, do you let them pick their own/keep previously used ones, or do you randomly assign appropriate names, regardless of student preference?

I find that no matter how common or sensible a name we may find (e.g Thomas, Jessica, Steven etc.) the kids insist that they don't like it or it's silly or it's too long or they would just rather be called Suzy One and Suzy Two.

This gets on my nerves. Really, it does. Kids are kids, but they should have learned by now that English names sound different than Korean names, and that they're not worthy of falling out of your seat and rolling around in laughter on the floor for five minutes at a time.

[Grotto]

I usually ask the students if they have a name they like, and I let them pick it.

If they cant or wont come up with a name I usually give them a nice long moniker.....Jefferson, Richard, they like the short sweet ones easy to spell and easy to remember.

Last year when I was in Suwon with ECC one of the teachers there named all his students after wrestlers, WWF. It was pretty funny with tiny little Korean kids answering to names like Big Show, Undertaker, Stone Cold.

On the flip side I heard of a teacher who gave all his students black ethnic names, Latifah, Geraldine, etc.

[Mr. Pink]

I think having English names for kids is cool. For teens and adults it really isn't necessary.

When I taught elementary I always gave them a choice, if I was naming the kids. I'd write 5 names on the board, read them over and say OK, who wants....and they would just choose or pass for the next 5. I kind of made it a game. If they wait TOO long, they get stuck with the last 5 names which aren't the best.

I would write the names alphabetically.

I too hated David 1, David 2 etc. So I started doing David LEE, David KIM etc. Make it feel like a real name by adding in their last name.
(This happens after you combine classes with say 2 Davids...)

[crazylemongirl]

I try and match the english name to the korean name where ever possible

eg. Seok Jin becomes steven
ha na becomes hannah

etc.

[sadsac]

My classes are all alphabetised where I can. I have a T class and a J class, it makes life so much easier. They have choices but often they will not or do not want to make it. WWF does seem to be popular with the kids though and I hate those names. I did meet a great kid called Rambo once at Everland. Stood at attention the entire ten minutes he spoke with us.

[batman]

[wylde]

i won't cop it... your name is your name

i will not ever call a student by an english name unless it is written in the roll as that

[nev]

I see no problem with kids having English names. They seem to enjoy it and it makes life a hell of a lot easier for me as I find it hard enough to remember one Korean name, let alone 80.

But for balance, I got the Korean teachers to give me a Korean name. Hence, while in Korea, I am also Nam-Il.

[Corky]

I named a class after the Simpson's once. And another one had students whose names all started with the letter J.

[rapier]

I usually ask for the kids Korean name, and then they're normally content to be given a name that sounds similar. eg, "Min soo" immediately becomes "minnie" or Susan" to me.

It seems derogatory/ arrogant to me, to give the kids ridiculous names... maybe I should lighten up I suppose... but some teachers think its hilarious to call the kids all sorts of stupidities....

[Ody]

with 40 students per class (X6), i prefer western names, english and any other latin or greek based name works for me. it doesn't matter if they're silly, traditional or made-up in the way that american names sometimes are. i just want my job to be easier for me and when my students adopt a non-korean designation it helps. last week i e-mailed students in my freshman classes links to baby name websites where they can locate a name complete with a suitable meaning and hopefully enjoy the process of finding it.

i'm crossing my fingers it'll work.

[lunachick]

One of my Korean co-workers admitted that she has trouble remembering Korean names and finds remembering "English" ones easier. With that in mind, it's not much of an issue at my school.

The baby name site may work well- I like www.behindthename.com

[just because]

I just let them choose a name(even if it is a wrestling one) and if they can't i just think of whatever band,etc...

[desultude]

[Saxiif]