Polite form of addressing a teacher

[Enchanter]

Hi, I live in a country where we don't address teachers by their names but we say "Mr(s). teacher". So it is quite odd for students of English as second language to address a teacher using his/her name. So, when they have an English lesson, what is a polite form for a 12-18 year-old student to address a teacher? Does "Sorry teacher, I have forgot my textbook" sound polite to native English speakers? If not, what would be a polite alternative without using a name? Thank you.

 

[Rover_KE]

You could say sir to a man and ma'am (pronounced 'mam' to a woman).

 

[tzfujimino]

You could say sir to a man and ma'am (pronounced 'mam' to a woman).

I have often heard 'ma'am' used. Is 'madam' used instead of 'ma'am'?
Thank you.

 

[Rover_KE]

No.

 

[SoothingDave]

"Miss" can be used with a young lady.

 

[riquecohen]

I've become accustomed to being addressed as Teacher and find it acceptable. About half of my students use this form of address, while the other half use my first name. (Brazil is a very informal country and we frequently don't know even our doctors' family names.)

 

[Rover_KE]

"Miss" can be used with a young lady.

And also to flatter an older lady.;-)

 

[Enchanter]

Thanks. Is "Mr. teacher" possible/correct/natural?

 

[Raymott]

And also to flatter an older lady.;-)

Though not too old as to imply that she's been "left on the shelf". I know that's sexist, but I wouldn't use 'Miss' to flatter an old lady ... not that I'm saying she's old, er ... I don't think there's a way out of this.

 

[Rover_KE]

Is "Mr. teacher" possible/correct/natural?

It's possible but not natural.

If you called a teacher that and he didn't like it, he'd just say 'Call me "sir" or "Mr Surname"'.

 

[Tdol]

"Miss" can be used with a young lady.

Miss is often used in schools in the UK, at least by younger pupils.

 

[Tdol]

I've become accustomed to being addressed as Teacher and find it acceptable.

I found it strange at first, but you do get used to it.

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Hello, Enchanter:

I have noticed that here in the United States, some women are offended if you address them as ma'am.

Some women feel that the term should apply only to "older" women.

That could also apply to sir.

Many years ago, I saw a young man in his twenties become very angry on a bus because the driver had addressed him as sir. The twentysomething yelled, "I'm not old!"


When it comes to age, people are very touchy (sensitive).




James


P.S. I am proudly 77 years old (in my 78th year).

 

[Enchanter]

It's possible but not natural.

If you called a teacher that and he didn't like it, he'd just say 'Call me "sir" or "Mr Surname"'.

Thanks!

 

[Enchanter]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Hello, Enchanter:

I have noticed that here in the United States, some women are offended if you address them as ma'am.

Some women feel that the term should apply only to "older" women.

That could also apply to sir.

Many years ago, I saw a young man in his twenties become very angry on a bus because the driver had addressed him as sir. The twentysomething yelled, "I'm not old!"


When it comes to age, people are very touchy (sensitive).




James


P.S. I am proudly 77 years old (in my 78th year).

Hello,
thanks for that info! What would be the alternatives for young people? Instead of "Sir" what should the driver have said to the young man? And what about age-neutral alternative to "ma'am"? Thanks!

 

[SoothingDave]

Hello,
thanks for that info! What would be the alternatives for young people? Instead of "Sir" what should the driver have said to the young man? And what about age-neutral alternative to "ma'am"? Thanks!

There really isn't any. "Sir" and "ma'am" are the polite addresses. You could call a young lady a "miss," then again some may take offense at that as "sexist."

 

[Tdol]

In English, it is possible to avoid the issue as everybody is you. Many BrE speakers do not use forms like Sir and Ma'am without being considered rude. I use use Sir and Madam​ when talking to strangers, but that is not particularly common. I would not use Miss- that is only heard in schools in the UK as far as I know.

 

[TheParser]

Does "Sorry teacher, I have forgot my textbook" sound polite to native English speakers?

***** NOT A TEACHER *****



1. In American secondary schools, some students would say "Sorry, sir / ma'am" or possibly "Sorry, Mr. / Miss / Mrs. Jones." In most cases, they would probably NOT use any title: "Sorry, I forgot my book."

2. If a student were to address a teacher as "Teacher" in an American classroom, the American students would immediately snicker (a disrespectful little laugh) and identify the student as a foreigner. (In ESL classes, almost all beginning students use the term "Teacher." By the time that they become intermediate students, they realize that such a term is not used in American classrooms. By that time, they have already become "Americanized" and are no longer so docile and respectful!)

3. If you do not wish to use "teacher" or "sir / ma'am" or the teacher's surname (last name), maybe one "solution" is to simply expand the sentence.

a. Instead of "Sorry, I have forgot(ten) my textbook," you could expand it to:

"I am very sorry, but I have forgot(ten) my textbook today." (Longer sentences usually (not always) sound more courteous and respectful than short sentences: No. / No, I won't. / No, I won't be able to attend your party on Saturday. / I am very sorry, but I won't be able to attend your party on Saturday.)


*****

In regard to that bus driver:

1. If he was answering a yes / no question, I cannot think of an alternative to "sir."

2. If he was asking a question or giving instructions, he could have used the term "young man":

a. "Excuse me, young man, would you mind helping that elderly gentleman get off the bus?"




James

 

[Enchanter]

Thanks for all the useful information!

 

[Matthew Wai]

Enchanter, clicking on the 'Thank' button can obviate the need for a new post saying 'Thanks', such is one of the many unwritten rules on this forum.

Not a teacher.