1) Learn to read Korean so you can read the nametags they have on their uniform (obviously not helpful if you are at a school that doesn't wear uniform).

2) Make the students create nametags to use in your class - I've incorperated this into my reward system to make sure they always bring them.

3) Wait it out - eventually they will stop asking (maybe the 2 or 3 month mark) and be content/ plesantly surprised when you do remember the odd name.

I don't. I teach over 800 students and while I remember many, I forget many as well.

Two problems. Their name tags on their uniforms are so annoying because the way they are made, they get hidden into the pocket and when I try to read a student's name, 70% of the time it is hidden inside the pocket.

Second, their seating charts change randomly all the time so I can never get a consistent face in the same place for a long time.

I used to have my students have their name tags placed on their desks, and I would also refer to seating charts and the class rosters. Those worked for me in helping me to learn/remember most of my students' names.

I'm horrible with Western names, I know very little of my ~800 student's names. I can remember things about them and what class and activities they are in, but names, no way! I make a bigger effort to know the other teacher's names (for that I have a list with their pictures at my desk).

My students have ID badges and some of their uniforms have names on them, but they don't always wear them. So reading their names doesn't help.

Last term their class attendance books had a all of their pictures and names in the front, I would have a look at that before class and during if needed.

I avoid using names of students in my class, even if I know them, because I don't want other students to feel bad I don't know theirs. But as I pick up more names for each class I write them down, I keep a notes on all my classes and try to review before the next class.

Some students have given me nicknames to call them, I find this much easier! But I don't give them English names (I wouldn't remember them either). I will use English names if they tell me they already have one and want me to use it.

The longer you are here the better you will get about the names, you will find a system that works for you.

If I can read their name off their nametag or the seating chart, I make a point of saying "Sit down, Minji!" instead of just "Sit down!" I take attendance, which I tell them is so I can check if they're in their seats but is really just to help me memorize their names. I also have all of the attendance sheets and I use that to make notes like "has the neon orange mirror on her desk" or "claims his English name is Potato." At this point I know about 75 percent of the kids at my smaller school and maybe 50 percent of the kids at my larger one.

thanks for the advice! I have a list of all the names, but as soon as I say it, i forget it. Its probably due to the fact that I can neither read, write or speak any korean at all. I'll start there i think! Starting next semester i'll make pictures + names for everyone.

I find remembering names makes them more receptive to me, especially if they're misbehaving (what's Korean for "Hey you?" )

I finally got off my procrastinating butt and put together nametags.

I've got a separate one for my young students - I put their Korean name, let them color it, glue their anglicized name to the bottom and laminate. Older students nametags are also laminated.

I use the tags in their after school classes and insist they write their anglicized name on every worksheet. It's practice for both of us. Also, the nametags are collected into a ziploc bag at the end of every class. Doesn't stop many of them from vandalizing the tags though and some will sneakily place the tags in their pencil cases. Just things to watch for.

I've attached a template for you to make your own with a sample of the regular nametag. I do include their Korean spelled name on the tag but in smaller font. I've also attached the font I use - it's brilliant. Perfect if they're still learning to print properly.

Enjoy! 

Last year I asked for a printout of their photos and names. The Korean teachers all have the same sheets that have their pictures and names grouped by class. I scanned the sheets and put them into Anki so I could learn their names like flashcards.

It wasn't actually all that effective. I learned a lot of names but I rarely used them because I wasn't completely confident that I was remembering correctly.

This year I just have a seating chart so I can call students by name, but I quickly forget the names of students who don't often speak up or who don't interact with me much outside of class. I know 100% of the names of kids who talk to me between classes but there are a lot of kids who just sort of blend into the background and it's hard to remember their names when you don't really have a sense of their personalities.

Quote from: vanzant on June 03, 2014, 01:36:35 PM

It is very important for their success in an English world to have an English name.

I very strongly disagree with this.
Not only is it factually untrue (!!!), but it sends a very negative message. One of our duties is to expose our students to our respective cultures, and a big part of that is multiculturalism. By insisting that they take English names, one essentially teaches them that in order to function in "Western" society, one must follow a singular monolithic culture.

Secondly, research has shown that renaming young children can lead to identity issues. I've skimmed through some theses etc on the topic, but they're kind of boring, so I'll just link this instead: http://www.brighthubeducation.com/esl-teaching-tips/123093-anglicizing-names-of-foreign-learners-has-gone-too-far/

   While I don't actually have a problem with students choosing an English name, or having one given to them, I feel that it should be a choice, not a requirement, and that insisting on renaming one's students is not the best of ideas.

YES! This speaks to me on so many levels! It's quite frustrating to hear soooo many Native English Teachers insist on "giving" and or "making" students choose a "Western" name. I think it really warps the idea of who can use English, which, apparently, is validated with an "English" name. In turn, this forcing of students to take English names just perpetuates the negative perception that all NETs think, "I'm here to teach you English as well as my home country's culture but I'm not willing to learn anything from your country... not even your names." For example, were you ever forced to adopt a "foreign" name while you were learning another language other than English? I'mma assume that most people would say, "No". So why force Korean students to do it just because it makes things easier? Just take the time to read their names and I can assure you that you'll gain some sort of respect from your students.

All schools have pictures of the students in their school database. As is the case, my suggestion is to ask your co-teacher for the photos of each class (from all grade levels). They should be easily accessed by logging into your school's private network. Then you can make a template of your classroom's desk setup and make a seating chart. Use these seating charts for the whole semester. Enforce correct seat assignments each time you start class by using a printout of the seating chart as reference instead of doing the regular roll call drill. I've done this for all of my classes (took like a whole week to make because I had to reference class rosters for the students in each class AND I seated kids according to their interactions with other students during class; specifically separating chatty friends) and it makes memorizing names with faces a lot easier (I teach over 600 middle school boys and know most of their names). Hope this helps!

I think "you need an English name" was a troll.

I have more than 800 students. I know fifth grade best because we have nametags in those classes, and first and second grade because they're in an afterschool program and for that there IS a rule about English names. Otherwise, I don't know many kids' names. I would like to, but taking time to make nametags and such has been strongly discouraged by my school.