TIMELESS TEACHING ADVICE…

KNOW YOUR STUDENTS’ NAMES AND USE THEM We’ve all had it happen.  Someone comes up to us and says, “Hey, Tom, how are you doing?” Meanwhile, we have totally forgotten this person’s name, so we say, “Great, how are you?”   Not using a person’s name in return is a sure sign that we do not know that person’s name, unless we obviously know that person very well.  In cases like this, it is best to be upfront and instead say, “I’m doing great, but I’m sorry, I have forgotten your name.”  Most people will understand, and you are getting a potential problem quickly out of the way.   The above illustrates a situation where we may not have seen the person for awhile.  A lesson scenario is different in that we are currently engaged with the student.  Therefore, not knowing the student’s name should not be a problem – or so you would think.  Yet, there are times when the teacher does fail to either remember or to use the student’s name.  Frankly, there is no excuse for this.   Everyone likes to hear their name, because it shows that they are important to the person using their name.  To a golf student, it shows them that they are a valued individual and not just another product coming off the assembly line.  Using a person’s name, while at first glance is seemingly inconsequential, does have an effect far beyond the brief time it takes to mention their name.