Name Pronunciation Challenge: Adding Fun to Workshops!

Hey folks 👋

I recently shared a playful article on Medium that sparked a fantastic idea for icebreakers in our workshops. Imagine attendees discovering the unique sounds hidden within their own names, just like I did with mine!

❓ What?

Here's a quick recap of my Medium post:

'Ö': Pronounce it like the 'ea' in 'early.' Regardless of your accent, this sound is universal. Think of 'early,' focus on 'ea,' and you're halfway there!

'mür': This one's a breeze if you've ever said 'mural.' Picture yourself admiring a beautiful wall painting, saying 'mur-al,' and you've almost got it.

Combine and Conquer: Put 'ea' and 'mur' together, say it quickly, and you've got my name — Ömür! It's like a mini tongue twister, but mastering it is worth it.

Why Does It Matter?: Correctly pronouncing names is a nod to heritage and cultural diversity. It's a small gesture that makes a big difference.

Challenge: Can you guess the meaning of 'Ömür' with the hint from the image? No cheating with translators!

💡 How might we turn this into an exercise?

Here's a possible structured flow for the exercise:

1️⃣ Introduction (2 minutes):

Welcome attendees and explain the purpose of the exercise.
Set a positive and inclusive tone for the activity.

2️⃣ Name Placement (2 minutes):

Provide prepared places (cards, sticky notes, or a digital platform) for everyone to write their names.
Ensure each participant has a clear space to work with.

3️⃣ Analyzing Names (5-10 minutes):

Instruct participants to split their names into sounds (e.g., Ö-mür).
For each sound, they’ll find sample English words that resemble the pronunciation (e.g., 'Ö': (ea)rly).
Encourage participants to use example words as a guide.
Display these on a shared board or screen for reference.

4️⃣ Image Hint (3 minutes):

Participants will provide an image hint related to their name’s meaning.
Ensure everyone can see the images clearly.

5️⃣ Guessing Game (5 minutes):

Invite participants to guess the meaning of other participants' names based on the provided image hints.
Encourage creativity and discussion as they make their guesses.
Keep a fun and lighthearted atmosphere.

6️⃣ Sharing and Pronunciation (15-20 minutes):

Allow each attendee to take the mic one by one.
They should say their names, share the meanings briefly, and pronounce their names using the sounds and English words they've identified.
Encourage applause and positive feedback after each participant's turn.

7️⃣ Wrap-up and Reflection (3 minutes):

Thank everyone for participating and highlight the value of connecting through names and language.
Encourage attendees to reflect on what they've learned or experienced during the exercise.

8️⃣ Feedback (2 minutes):

Ask for brief feedback from participants about their experience.
Use this feedback to improve future sessions.

9️⃣ Closing Remarks (1 minute):

Close the session on a positive note, and express gratitude for everyone's participation.

⏰ Estimates for time allocation might look like this:

Tasks 1-4 could take around 15 minutes in total.
Task 5 might take 5 minutes.
Task 6 can vary based on the number of participants, but allocate roughly 1-2 minutes per person.

However, be flexible with timing to ensure that the exercise flows smoothly, and everyone has a chance to participate fully.

💬 Comments?

That’s it. What do you think?

Let me know in the comments 😊✨

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