“Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language,” Dale Carnegie
👨🏽‍🏫I have a co-teacher who consistently scores the highest teacher evaluation markings from students in our school. Without doubt, she is a conscientious teacher, but there are other great teachers in our department too (cough cough!) and she always comes out top.
One day, she gave a presentation about her teaching methodology, and her fourteen co-teachers were all leaning forward, eager to learn the secret behind her popularity.
She said, “Quite simply, I remember my students’ names”.
We said, “What…all of them? You have over 160 students in all your classes!”
She replied, “Yep, all of them…every single student…and I call them all by their names as much as I can.”
That’s the tip. Learn and use your students’ names.
Remembering students’ names
👨🏽‍🏫For older classes, the students will, of course, expect you to use their real names. Remember them correctly and you are showing you care and take an interest in each student. In some cultures, the names can be tricky to remember and pronounce, but if you can rise to the challenge, your students will love you for it. Here are three methods to help you.
1. Using mnemonics
👨🏽‍🏫This is the method my co-teacher uses. She takes the name and builds a fun, silly visualization of the student based on their name. For example:
-If the student’s name is Tamanna.
Mnemonic: “Tamanna loves tomato naan.”
Visual: She’s eating a naan bread with tomato sauce on it.
-If the student’s name is Minji.
Mnemonic: “Minji has a mini jeep.”
Visual: She’s driving a tiny toy jeep around the classroom.
It sounds daft, I know, but it really works!
2. Name repetition in context
👨‍🏫Use the student’s name several times naturally during your first conversation. For example:
“Nice to meet you, Maria. Maria, could you tell me your favorite food?”
Then later:
“That’s interesting, Maria. Thank you for sharing.”
Hearing yourself say it and associating it with a personal detail helps cement it in your memory.
3. Using ID cards with a photo
👨‍🏫Having a list of ID cards is an effective way to remember student names, especially in larger classes. I usually have the students create their ID cards on the first day of class and encourage them to include their passport photo next to their name. Then, in my own time, I can flip through the cards and practice a bit of name-face recognition. For a more detailed explanation of making students’ ID cards, go to this lesson plan.