Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DanseurVertical]

Do students retain their Korean names? Or do they pick characteristically English names?

Or is the choice between the two left up to the instructors?

[Epik_Teacher]

What I've done in the past is print up lists of boy's and girl's English names. I let the students pick them themselves. If they can't decide, I try to find an English name that sounds similar to their Korean ones.

[Troglodyte]

Most camp directors and the Korean teachers want the kids to have English names. Even a lot of the kids want them. When I've taught at camps, I let the kids decide. If they want to use their Korean name I let them. I do make them write it in some standardized way with our alphabet. As well, I usually don't let 2 people chose the same name. Otherwise you'll get a bunch of Julias and Cathys and it gets confusing on paper. But a Cathrine, a Cathy and a Cat is usually OK.

You'll likely get a few kids that will choose crazy names, but don't let it bother you. They'll likely change their nickname a couple dozen times in the next few years anyway.

[shcforward]

There are a few different schools of thought on this issue.

Some places let kids choose whatever they want for an English name. This is usually chaos, as they'll choose names like "elephant," "father," and "purple rain" (all English "names" that I have seen). The obvious problem here is that they aren't choosing English names, but English words.

The more viable solution is to let them pick from a pre-arranged list of names, or if they have an acceptable suggestion for a name to let them submit it for approval by the teachers, who would only allow realistic English names.

Personally, I am against the idea of English names. There is absolutely nothing wrong with their Korean names, and I see no need to change them. Some people argue that it might help them "psychologically" to "switch into a second language mode" but that is pretty silly, I think.

Some students already have English names that they like. Unfortunately, most of the names are outdated and poorly-chosen, and they would fit in better in a foreign country if they just used their normal, Korean name.

Anyway, if you are given the choice you can do whatever you want.

[Epik_Teacher]

I don't let them pick stupid names like "Commander or Rainbow," but I do let them pick their names as much as possible. I think giving them a list and giving them time to decide is a good idea. I make sure they know they can always change their name later, and some do. For younger kids like Elementary grades, I try to keep the name as close to their Korean name as possible. "Jun-ah" becomes "June," etc...

[Kaypea]

I talked to some of my higher level 1st grade middle school girls, and they say they really enjoy using English names at their hogwans. For some reason, I thought they didn't, but they think it's fun and gets you in the mood for English speaking. Still, in our public school setting, I find using the Korean names just simpler. I don't think the other teachers would like having to keep track of a bunch of fake names.