Being an ENL teacher, one of the most important things I can do as their teacher is learn their names! I always try and put myself into their shoes as they are sitting in front of me during the 1st few days of school. They may be REALLY nervous about being in an American school and the LEAST I can do is call them by their actual name. I think that people sometimes feel silly saying names that have different sounds than the names we are used to hearing in English. I think it's safe to say that It can make teachers feel a little self-conscious. One thing I was thinking when I was listening was when she talked about giving "nicknames" to kids who have difficult to pronounce names. I think this can be very endearing; I have had many students prefer a nickname and of course, I check to make sure this is absolutely what they not and it's not pressure. Often, these students take their name into adulthood and it's part of them now. I think it can be a great thing. To circle back, names carry very special ideas and feelings and it's important to learn them and say them correctly.
