Pronouncing the student's name correctly
If a student does not feel welcome in a class, as an instructor, you are swimming against the tide, and not addressing them as they prefer, is swimming against the tide.
I always confirm, not only the pronunciation of a student's name, but a preference for how they would like to be addressed. I have seen some unusual name swaps. No matter what the roster states as the name, go with what the student states. Building a rapport with a student begins with using their name, what they respond to, whether the data on the course roster or not.
Damon,
Thank you for sharing this experience because it illustrates the value of showing students that you care about them as individuals. You boss may care about them the same way as you do but the students do not know it because she doesn't know their names and that is read as not caring.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I totally agree with that. I try and learn my students names as quickly as possible and how to pronounce them correctly. My boss, who is not always around for the students, usually does not remember their names or how to pronounce them if she does remember and it does have an effect on how the students feel they are perceived.
Robin,
This is a good name memory strategy to follow. I am sure your students appreciate the effort you put into remembering their names and getting to know them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
On the first day of class, I always have my students introduce themselves. I then write down their names in a way that will allow me to pronounce them appropriately. On the second day of class I call the students aloud asking to correct me on any missed pronounced names. By the the third day of class I will master the students names along with their faces. Students feel important and respected when you try to know them personally.
Sarah,
By keeping it light hearted and giving a try on the names you are showing respect for the students from the very beginning of the course. I think we all have our challenges when it comes to some student names. My students help me pronounce them correctly and enjoy the fact that I am willing to try. So keep up the effort and enjoy the support of your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am embarrased when I do not pronounce a students name correctly. Some names are more difficult than others no matter how hard I try to say them so I address them by their last name while I practice pronouncing their name. I am glad the student usually has a great sense of humor and correct me as we laugh about it and the other students tease me so when I say it correctly they all congratulate me. This has been a great insight for me so I will work hard to create a better way to remember their name as a show of respect.
Rusty Din,
Comments like this are what reinforces your caring attitude toward your students. By saying this you are letting them know you want to be able to communicate with them via their names being pronounced correctly as well as with respect. This is a powerful message to send to students and sets up a positive impression from the first day forward.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
On the first day of class, I always tell my students that if I pronounced their name incorrectly, I will gladly appreciate it if they will correct me.
James,
I commend you for this extra step effort to make sure you can pronounce the names of your students correctly. You are sending a very powerful message of caring and support through your work in learning students names. This is such a great way to start a course off with student engagement.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One of the things that I have done in order to make sure that I know all of my students names and how to properly pronounce them is I will actually have students with names that I find difficult to pronounce actually say their names out loud and I will actually create an audio recording (with the groups blessing of course). This way, I will have something to reference along with my attendance rosters.
I do believe that it is the absolute right thing to do as an instructor to afford students the dignity of having their names stated correctly.
Thao,
This is the human side of being an educator because you are showing you care about each student as an individual since you are working to make sure you pronounce each name correctly.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Having a fairly difficult name to pronounce myself, I have adopted a personal policy to always ask students what they prefer to be called on the first day of class. I've found that this shows that I respect them and thus gains me their respect in return.
Stephen,
You make a good point about how important it is to get names right. It may seem small to us but it is major to our students and their relationship with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
couldn't agree more on this thread. it is one of the best first impressions a person can make to another especially an instructor to a new student. I myself go by Stephen not Step-hen, or Steve.
Patricia,
This is what I do and it really pays off. Even though I at times struggle with the names the students appreciate the fact I am trying hard to remember and use their names and that goes a long way in earning their respect.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also strongly agree names being properly pronounced is key in earning the respect of students as well as making them feel welcome.
I have to admit that my weakness is pronouncing some of my students' names correctly. Typically, three-quarters of the names on my roster are not pronounced the way I believe they should be said. I get embarrassed when I mispronounce a name and ask the students to keep reminding me the correct way to say it "because I am older than they are and need the extra help". This usually gets a laugh out them, but it doesn't really make me feel better. I appreciate the advice in this forum because I need to improve in this area. I wouldn't be comfortable addressing students' by their last names because I want to build a different kind of relationship with them- I don't want it so formal. I think what I will try is making a copy of the attendance list and writing my own phonetic spelling of the names.
Stephanie,
Thank you for the advice on how to respond to using the names of students. Most students if they know you are trying hard to learn their names will be understanding as well as supportive in helping instructors to learn and use their names.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Thomas,
Learning and pronouncing names of students is such an important part of the human side of teaching. Knowing you care enough about them to learn their names lets them know you see them as individuals not just a collective class of bodies. From there it is a building process of earning their respect and developing rapport.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
