Korean Job Discussion Forums

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

How many of you are sick of having multiple John's or Jenny's in your classroom. I would think that because the students can choose their own name, or have a teacher choose it for them, there would be a little more diversity in their names. I mean, wouldn't you, if you had the choice to make your own name up, want to pick something suiting your personality, or perhaps witty.

So, what is the best name you have come across? One that either a student already had, or that you named?

Here are a couple that I have had in the past.

Pedro. I know it might not be that unique for Spanish or Mexicans, but to call out the name Pedro, and have a Korean boy answer, made me giggle.

Quinn. If his name were chosen because of the song "Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)" it is so appropriate. This not so little boy has the looks of an Eskimo. He is so cute.

B.S. He actually chose this name because B.S. are his Korean initials. Still puts a smile on my face.

My absolute favorite though, is a student named "Head Master" Why not call yourself by something that is completely out of the norm.

I am not suggesting by any means that we start naming our students Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet Emuukha Rodan or Diva Thin Muffin Pigeon. But if a student can choose their name, why not suggest that they be a little creative.

Anyhoo, what are the best names you have come across?

VirginIslander · Joined: 24 May 2006 Location: Busan

Jin and his friend Tonic. I didnt name them either.

VanIslander · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 2:15 am Post subject:

step 1: ask the class for a first letter ("A,B,C...") twelve times and with letter shouted out write a normal English name associated with it ("Charlie" for C, "Daniel" for D, etc).

step 2: get everybody to pronounce the names (you say, they repeat)

step 3: have the new student try and pronounce the name options (you say first, the new student to repeat) and erase options they can't 100% immediately pronounce

step 4: erase any names you yourself think generated inappropriate responses from the class (snickers, laughs, etc)

step 5: have the new student choose their English nickname from the remaining options (usually 3-6 choices left, voice them again if needed with younger students who don't read)

These 5 steps are quick, easy and have worked like a charm for my classes for over four years, not a problem, everyone involved, student satisfied

huck · Joined: 19 Jan 2003

A boy named DaVinci...

A girl who was named Australia, but has since changed it to Hawaii.

A Tiffany who looks like a Tiffany.

Ram.

everydavid · Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Location: dans la lune

my favourite names are: slip-mat, 84 Ford Escort. Not too long after these names came out, the teacher was fired, for other reasons as well...

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

1. Twins named Harry and Potter
2. A middle school student whose Korean name apparently meant green (in Chinese I guess) and he was big for his age. So, someone named him Little Green.
3. One very smart middle-school girl who changes her name every month. She at one point named herself Samantha after the Sex and the City character.

ella · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

Spork.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

I call my students by their Korean names.

LUCRETIA · Joined: 20 Jun 2007

Crispina

Master Pizza

Eminem

Just yesterday I talked a kid out of calling himself "Black Stallion".

tyleranthony · Joined: 17 Mar 2007

Rambo.

and hes 45, married with two kids, and has a phd in education. he picked the name, too.

VanIslander · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 4:09 am Post subject:

a bit pudgy Korean adult student was nicknamed "Shrek" by his Korean colleagues and didn't want to change it... I called him Mr. Lee

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

I got one kid who wanted to me "Mike" so I named him Mike. HIs best friend wanted to be Mike too. So I named him "Mike 2".

So you have "Mike 1" and "Mike 2".

Anyways, there's a 3rd grader I have and his name is "Rainbow". I wonder if his parents are hippies. I got another boy and his name is "Smith". I tried to tell him he has a last name for a first name but he said he liked it.

VanIslander · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 4:20 am Post subject:

Jeweltone · Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Location: Seoul, S. Korea

Korean names: Beom Seok (Mike- poor kid was a "returnee" and got teased in America about his Korean name)
Kurin (Green)
"Western" names: Apollo, Athena, Buzz (very hyperactive little tyke), Carlos, Pedro, Marina (I like this name), Phillip (try to get them to say that one correctly), Hailey, Songman (Seong Min - I mispronounced it the first day by reading too quickly, and the child was always singing)...for starters.

I teach adults now, and use their Korean names. A bit less fun.

minorthreat · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 4:45 am Post subject:

I've noticed a Prison Break-inspired rise in Korean college guys wanting to call themselves "Scofield."

I had a kid named Gelacio for a while. His parents apparently chose it for him. Man, that name was fun to say.

But yeah, my classroom by and large is inundated with too many of the 'standard' names. Not that I wish people would go overboard like some parents back in the USA are doing right now (I know one couple who named their triplets Taylor, Finley, and Dunbar, and I remember thinking at the time "congratulations on your law firm"), but surely it can't be that hard to get a Carrie or an Isabelle or a Maggie among the endless slew of Sarahs, Sallys, and Jennys.

I've resorted to nicknames at the moment. I have a Big Joe, a Little Joe, a Mikey, etc.