What should the students call you?

[Ollie84]

Generally, I get called <first name - teacher>. There are a few who simply call me by my first name and even by my nickname, which is a shortened version of my name. I never told them my nickname so I guess they either just put 2+2 together or don't say my full name. I agree with burndog, respect comes with how you do your job. It doesn't necessarily come with how the students address you.

[Shaddock86]

I like being called by my first name.  I don't mind teacher either.  I don't like being called "Mr. ~~" because it makes me feel old like my father.  Plus, I think first name basis makes you seem more approachable as a person; hence more confidence to speak english.

[dahknee]

I feel whatever/neutral about the students that just call me "teacher."

I feel a bit better if they call me by my first name, it makes me feel like they took the effort to remember it.

I especially like the students who call me "Mr. (last name)," it kinda tells me that these students GET IT.

I never respond to "ssaem," because I KNOW they aren't addressing me, but the Korean CT.

[tinkydolly]

my students just call me teacher.

[acacia12]

I was an ESL aide for five and a half years in U.S. and the Korean students really had difficulty in transitioning to calling the teacher Mrs. or Ms. X.  And the English teachers didn't appreciate the respect the students were giving by calling them "Mrs. williams" teacher or just teacher. 

I think it would behoove the students if we teach and encourage them to use structure of English that is used in English speaking countries.  I don't know about other English speaking countries, but in U.S. it is proper to call the teacher by Mr./Mrs. Smith.  That's what I have decided to encourage my students to do.   

[Burndog]

1) What should I use instead of "sir" when I'm traveling about the Commonwealth?

As an Australian...I must say that I have never heard of anyone taking offence at being called Sir!  I've used the word throughout my schooling, and into my working life back home...whether that was in retail, banking or the public sector...and I've never seen anyone offended.  So...consider my little corner of the greater Commonwealth an exception if you like...but in Melbourne, Victoria...you can call people Sir without them thinking that you're some sort of monarchist!

[JahRhythm]

The "(first name) - teacher" thing strike me as amateurish. To each their own, but I won't accept that. As someone else mentioned, we are teaching our culture as well as English. I'm American, I never called a teacher by their first name.
It's Mr. (surname) for me.

[deajeonmatt]

Just have them use your first name.  It's normal. 

[JahRhythm]

deajeonmatt - how is that normal? Where are you from? What age do you teach? Did you call your elementary school teacher "Joe" or "Nancy"?

[flasyb]

deajeonmatt - how is that normal? Where are you from? What age do you teach? Did you call your elementary school teacher "Joe" or "Nancy"?

I'm from the UK, I'm currently living in the 21st century, I teach high school and I think deajeonmatt has a point. Before that I taught adults so maybe I'm used to a different teaching environment but calling someone by name is fine. I used to call my teachers Mr/Miss/Mrs/Ms x or Sir but that was last century and I reckon times are changing. It's no mark of disrespect to call a teacher by the first name - the disrespect/respect is in how you say it.

[Burndog]

deajeonmatt - how is that normal? Where are you from? What age do you teach? Did you call your elementary school teacher "Joe" or "Nancy"?

 It's no mark of disrespect to call a teacher by the first name - the disrespect/respect is in how you say it.

I could not agree more.

[JahRhythm]

Didn't realize our entrance into the 21st century meant that a bunch of 12 year old addressing me in my classroom as "Joe" is suddenly acceptable. I'm not old-fashioned, nor conservative, but it's just not on. (for me)
For adults, of course. High school? perhaps, but younger than that it just feels too chummy.
Is it inherently disrespectful? No. But it's not a good start.

[Burndog]

Didn't realize our entrance into the 21st century meant that a bunch of 12 year old addressing me in my classroom as "Joe" is suddenly acceptable. I'm not old-fashioned, nor conservative, but it's just not on. (for me)
For adults, of course. High school? perhaps, but younger than that it just feels too chummy.
Is it inherently disrespectful? No. But it's not a good start.

My students here call me 'Burndog Teacher".  When I taught in Australia my students called me Sir or Mister Surname...but I was teaching at a very stuffy old Private School where the use of first names was totally out of order.  I don't have a problem with any of the three titles, so long as they're said with respect.  I have the same relationship with my students here as I did in Australia...the change in name has not caused any problems at all.

If you're a teacher, and you do your best, and the students know that you care for them and respect them...then they will respect you.  A rose by any other name and all that guff.

[flasyb]

Didn't realize our entrance into the 21st century meant that a bunch of 12 year old addressing me in my classroom as "Joe" is suddenly acceptable.

Not so sudden. It's been phasing out for a while now.

I'm not old-fashioned, nor conservative, but it's just not on. (for me)

You might not be conservative but it's pretty conservative for people to insist on it, I think. Maybe it's because I'm only 25 and maybe there are a host of reasons why we have this difference of opinion but it would feel weird for me to have this conversation:

Student: Flasyb! Help please.
Flasyb: What did you call me? It's Mr flasyb to you!
Student: Sorry Mr flasyb.

They can call me by name, position, Mr, whatever. All that matters to me is how they say it.