Hi,

I want to keep track of names better next semester, I feel this will help with discipline, and connecting with the students.
I'm just wondering if anyone has ideas about keeping track of names in their classes.
I would like to do name tags, but I highly doubt this will work with my high school boys, I imagine they will change them and throw them etc. which will be frustrating.

So anyone have any ideas?

Cheers!
Jess

If you invigilate exams use the time to try to remember names. They'll be in the attendence book with there photos and if it's like my school, they're sat in numeric student order for exams.

Take a photo of the class and write their names above their heads. Really, it's the obvious answer!

Good luck getting them to do that without holding up V-signs over their faces.

I have found, working at an all Girl's high school for the past two years, trying to learn their names earns you respect from the students.  I wish we, Native English Teachers, didn't have to teach so many students, but this is the job we are signed up for.  I try to learn something about some of the students or i just give them nicknames really.  I have found the students have been using some of the nicknames that I gave certain students.  I think one or two of them even like their nickname more than their real name. 

But, I would go with a seating chart and have the Korean teacher help you with the seating chart or at least getting the names of all of the students in each class so that you can do it yourself. 

Good Luck

I have found, working at an all Girl's high school for the past two years, trying to learn their names earns you respect from the students.  I wish we, Native English Teachers, didn't have to teach so many students, but this is the job we are signed up for.  I try to learn something about some of the students or i just give them nicknames really.  I have found the students have been using some of the nicknames that I gave certain students.  I think one or two of them even like their nickname more than their real name. 

But, I would go with a seating chart and have the Korean teacher help you with the seating chart or at least getting the names of all of the students in each class so that you can do it yourself. 

Good Luck

Does it ever earn respect and do I ever wish I was better at it. Today one of my ex-students was at school for her sister's graduation. Just the happiness in her face when I could not only remember her name three years later but what uni she was attending said it all - like wow, you really do care. Unfortunately she's the exception, not the rule, and the fact that her sister applied for the same uni and has a very similar name sure helps.