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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Ömür Yanıkoğlu
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Name Pronunciation Challenge: Adding Fun to Workshops!
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