Pronouncing Multilingual Learners' Names Correctly (3 creative tips)
Have you ever pronounced a student’s name incorrectly? Yeah, me too.
We all realize that pronouncing Multilingual Learners’ names correctly is crucial for trust and community building. Names are a part of a child’s identity. Many of us have heard stories where teachers repeatedly mispronounce a student’s name or even change it to make it easier for them. This can have a lasting, negative impact on that student. On the other hand, when a teacher pronounces their students’ names correctly, it is immediately apparent. Often the student smiles in recognition of their name—it helps them feel valued and respected.
I have the best intentions, but sometimes I fail. At the beginning of one school year, I remember asking a student’s name and then saying it back to them. Sadly, I saw them grimace and reply, “It’s ok, Ms. C-R, you can give me a new English name. I shook my head, “No, I want to say it right.” So, the student repeated it again, and when I said it back to them, it was still off. I could tell by her expression. Ugh.
My own experience lets me know a teacher might not be able to pronounce a name on their first attempt. Nonetheless, to repeat them more than a few times in front of the class can be embarrassing for a student. At a time when they are trying to fit in, too much attention is on them.
Over time, I have learned these techniques that might help you also:
After the student says their name, write it down on a notecard phonetically. Let them know that you are going to practice it.
During a break in class, call the student over privately and ask them if you can record them on your phone saying their name so that you can practice it at home. I find this method to be so helpful. I can hear the child saying it with the correct pronunciation and practice on my own as many times as I need and the student doesn’t have to listen in embarrassment.
Photo by Ghen Mar Cuaño on Unsplash Instruct all the students to stand or sit in a circle to introduce themselves at the start of a new class. Each student goes around the circle saying something like, “My name is Clara.” Then all the students in the class repeat. “Hi, Clara.” The group recall exercise helps all the students practice it correctly. Because they are saying it in unison, it helps everyone practice.
