Korean Job Discussion Forums

noelinkorea · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: Shinchon, Seoul

Koreans (and English teachers too, admittedly...) seem to have a thing for having an English name. My question is, if a Korean were to learn another language, do they also create a name in that language too...I'd imagine it's bloody hard to keep up with all the names a Korean could have...a name in Japanese, a name in Chinese, a name in German , A Russian name, a Spanish name, and so on - I pity the person who might decide to learn more than just English!!

Ody · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: over here

it depends on the individual situation and the name(s) in question.
i rather enjoy it when my students say that they want a western name; for example, that has the same meaning as their Korean name. i do a search, hand them a list, and they pick a name (or not). mind you, these names are not always English. origins range from middle eastern to Spanish with all varieties in between, including English. The most recent being Melisenda.

it's groovy.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

I have 1,100 students and not one of them goes by an english name.

nev · Joined: 04 Jan 2004 Location: ch7t

Cedar · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 1:40 am Post subject:

Css · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Location: South of the river

I dont like this western name thing....korean names sound much cooler.

Randall Flagg · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 1:50 am Post subject:

Chill out Cedar!!!

1100 kids is a lot. I think Nev was just pointing this out. I think it would be quite difficult to remember that many names as well whether it be English or Korean. Are you going to claim I am a newbie too?

You are correct though in saying that an English name is nothing but a snakeskin. (I like that analogy) But I think you came off a little harsh on what seemed to me to be an innocent comment.

nev · Joined: 04 Jan 2004 Location: ch7t

Cedar, I'm very sorry you took so great offence at such light-hearted comments, and hope it was just because you misread my remark.

I've been studying Korean passionately for five months now, and am at a light-conversational stage. I love learning the language. I very much enjoy Korea, all the moreso for the slow revelation of the world around me as I understand more and more. Many times on this board I have participated in threads about the language.

I teach about 140 kids a week, and remember all their names, or English names rather. This was a school policy before I arrived. If their names were in Korean I would likewise endeavour to learn all their names.

I suppose I take offence that you are so quick to condemn me as an arrogant, lazy teacher. I actually take more offence at your condemnation of me as an "idjit" who has no regard for Korea or the language. You are wrong on all counts.

Have a wonderful day.

phaedrus · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: I'm comin' to get ya.

It's easier for me to remember English names, because English names are part of the English language. English is my native language.

I would guess I could remember about 700 English names after a few months, but only about 100-200 Korean names.

I would not put the effort required to remember 1100 names into my job. I teach many students, and I assign them seats. I have a seat map, and I use their name if I need to speak to them. I can't remember all the time, or even most of the time.

ulsanchris · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: take a wild guess

I read in one english teaching book that students shouldn't be given English names. Something about them not needing a new idenity to learn a new language. I personally leave it up to the students. If they want a English name that is fine, but I never push them. THey have to come to me first.
Learning their Korean names is a bit more dificult than learning English names.

Yangkho · Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Location: Honam

I too have been in situations where the policy was English names only. I was dying to know what their real names were.

So, go easy on people.