English names...

[ablysstic]

During my evaluations I ask each student if they want an English name. I am not all about colonizing everyone, but it sure makes it easier for me to remember everyone's name if they are easy for me to pronounce in the first place, thus making classroom dynamics a lot smoother. If they want to use an English name I ask them to pick a name to use

Comments

[killywell]

my favorite chinese-student-chosen english names:

eagle
tibet
savannah
echo

i developed a habit, when asked to name people, of evaluating their personalities based on my american friends, then naming them after people who i thought they resembled in one way or another. so there are half a dozen chinese versions of my american friends in kunming right now.

[ablysstic]

I like Echo too. I know someone here with that name as well. It was hard for me to think of a bunch of original names, I need a name book for them to choose from. A lot of names I used are of people I already know. I think it's pretty cool to see the look on some of their faces when I say, that's my sister's name, that's my uncle's name, that's the name of a very good friend.

[ablysstic]

Some names are direct translations. Some students really like names for their meaning. The student that chose Yolanda did it for the meaning and I have a student that chose to have the name Ice, a direct translation from his Chinese name Bing.

English movies are great for ESOL's to study English. I totally believe the story about your tour guide. Right on. So many folks over here have read so much English and do not know the correct pronunciation of words because they have never heard a native speaker say them. While watching the movie they get pronunciation assistance and with the English subtitles they get to read/SEE the word while they hear it. It is a huge confidence builder too. :)

[zlinparm]

haha another kingway huh? Thats seems to be a pretty popular name. And you might want to fill Clearwaterdrop in ..."its not so english."!

[ablysstic]

Yeah Kingway is not your typical English name either eh? But such as life as English teacher in the PRC. You know all about that though, Lynds. :) About the second Kingway, he student asked me some names that I thought were interesting and that was one of the ones I gave him and he chose it from the lot. He is from the south and apparently is familiar with the beer. It really fits him. It's cute.