Teacher Discussion Forums

Hello! I am starting a kids English class (4-6 year olds) in my village in Japan, and I don't know what to tell the students to call me. In Japanese, students would call their teacher by their surname followed by the title of teacher (Suzuki Teacher). This is obviously unnatural in English. When I have older students, I ask them to call me by my first name. Children in Japan however, are taught to treat teachers with a degree of respect that a first-name basis does not allow, and such a casual relationship would be frowned upon by the parents. Somehow though, Mrs. Suzuki just seems awkward for a 4 year old.

I hope some of you have some insights into this problem! Thanks!

In America, students refer to their teachers as "Mr./Mrs. Lastname," not by their first name (unless you are a teacher at a daycare center).

Hope that helps! Ganbatte kudasai ne ~

In Japan, it is common place to call foreign teachers by their first name (as well as Japanese kidergarten teachers.) That posses huge issues with the whole Ms./Mr. Sensei thing. I generally have students call me Mark-sensei. It's better than the alternative of Mr. Mark Teacher.

Since you are in Japan and not a native English speaking country and you are their teacher, I think you are better off taking on the sensei title and assuming your role. They will not add that title to another English speaker's name who is not their teacher and nor do I believe it will affect their English ability.

When in Rome... That's just my 2 cents.

Mark-sensei

Thanks for your thoughts.

I've decided to go with the first name + sensei title, and although it seems a bit strange still, I'm sure we'll all get used to it. I hadn't mentioned before that my class is made up of my son and many of his friends from preschool. My son thinks its quite funny to call me by my first name in class, but with the sensei title, its ok.

Now I just have to figure out how to keep them under control...

Alright, then. Good luck! Please post again if you have any more questions about schooling ^^