Pronouncing Names

Hello Colleagues, Pronouncing names can sometimes be a challenge for teachers. Since our names are tied closely to our identities, it is important to work at pronouncing students' names as accurately as possible.

Corey Mitchell writes about the issue in a recent EdWeek blog, "Mispronouncing Students' Names: A Slight that Can Cut Deep."

Do you have stories related to pronouncing names? What are some strategies you use to ensure you are pronouncing names correctly? How do you support learners to pronounce each others' names?

Cheers, Susan Finn Miller

Moderator, AELL CoP

Comments

Susan,

Thank you for posting this article. It communicates respect for each individual when teachers pronounce students' names correctly. I teach ESL Beginning Literacy, and I work hard on this. Sometimes I have to try for several days in a row with a new student, but I keep practicing until the student tells me that I've gotten it right. I encourage students to pronounce each others' names correctly using name cards. Each student's name is written in large letters on a tent card. It's a daily routine to hold up each student's name, help the other students read it, and pass the card to the student. When other students are saying a name incorrectly, I help them look at the name and practice. We enjoy this "roll call" and it gives me a chance to connect with each student before the lesson starts. I'm interested in what others do in this regard.

Thanks! Shelley Lee

Hi Susan,

I have always made an effort to pronounce my students' names correctly. Like Shelley said, it is a sign of respect. I also teach ESL and work hard at this, and like Shelley, sometimes it takes me a while. There was an interesting story on NPR over the weekend about this very issue and how the people at MIT do their best to get it right. They use many of the same techniques I do. Here's the link for any who are interested: http://www.npr.org/2016/05/15/478114689/graduation-readers-at-mit-go-the-extra-mile-to-pronounce-names-correctly 

Thanks! Jill

 

Hi Shelley, Jill and all, Thanks for sharing your experience with pronouncing students' names. Your strategy of helping students learn one another's names sounds like a great idea, Shelley. I am going to try that with my next new class.

Jill, the NPR story that you linked us to about MIT's graduation practices is really interesting. It reminded me of attending naturalization ceremonies where every new citizen's name is called. I have been so impressed with the obvious effort taken by the officials to make sure names are pronounced as correctly as possible.

A recent experience comes to mind. I had been mispronouncing a student's name for some time until I heard another student call out this individual's name. From that point on, I made the correction.

It is not uncommon for some individuals, who are new to the US, to change their name to make it easier for Americans to pronounce. I'm wondering if any of our members have been in a position to advise individuals about this practice. If so, how did you handle it?

Cheers, Susan Finn Miller

Moderator, AELL CoP