How to address lecturers? (1 Viewer)

[thisiswar]

Hey all,
I have a really dumb question that probably everyone knows the answer to....
Say when you're writing an email or asking the lecturer a question after the lecture...do u address them as Mr/Miss/Mrs so-and-so or Sir/Madam or do u call them by their first name?

i thought it would be rude to call them by their first names but i may be wrong....

 

[Carrotsticks]

 

[Carrotsticks]

But seriously, address them as Dr XXXX

They all have phDs, it's standard now.

 

[Azure]

First name is usually fine, especially with the more informal lecturers. Dr can also be appropriate (if they're a d.r. of course). Up to you.

 

[-may-cat-]

I always address my lecturers by their first names, but i guess it depends on the individual...

 

[thisiswar]

LOLL i loved that haha xD

Ok thanks. So first names arent rude. Right.

 

[Azure]

Yeah I don't think I've ever called a lecturer DR

 

[Drongoski]

Why not just: 'Sir' or 'Madam' ?

 

[girlworld_club]

I would sign it with Dear Sir, or Madam.

Or with first name initial and last name

eg. Dear E.Watson

 

[-may-cat-]

Why not just: 'Sir' or 'Madam' ?

It's so formal... i dunno, it would just be weird.

 

[m.jakaran]

From my experience it's usually good to err on the formal side with Dr./Prof. XXX but 95% of lecturers prefer to be called by their first name.

 

[soloooooo]

If sending an email to them, use ' Hi Dr Smith' etc unless they have previously directed otherwise.

Likewise, when talking in person to them, unless they know your name also, refer to them as Dr Smith also unless again, they have specifically asked you to call them John etc.

 

[seremify007]

Hey all,
I have a really dumb question that probably everyone knows the answer to....
Say when you're writing an email or asking the lecturer a question after the lecture...do u address them as Mr/Miss/Mrs so-and-so or Sir/Madam or do u call them by their first name?

i thought it would be rude to call them by their first names but i may be wrong....

Assuming you've met them before or been in a lecture they would've introduced themself as "Hi, I'm John" or "Hi I'm Dr Ross Geller" and that's a good idea as to how you should address them in an email. Typically I usually use first name basis even if they are a doctor (but then I'm not a student anymore and even when I was, I knew a lot of the lecturers through professional circles), however if you are unsure and don't want to come off looking rude, it never hurts to use their title and if they reply with just a sign off as a name, then you know how you can address them in the future.

 

[AsyLum]

No question is dumb

 

[xeuyrawp]

I find that good teachers tend to say as it's often a problem, but if in doubt the best rule is title + surname, eg Dr Smith, Prof Jones or whatever (their title will be in the handbook / unit guide). Then if they sign off with their first name, you can use that.

It's such a case-by-case basis, though. At Macquarie I used first names with everyone except an older professor who preferred his title.

 

[seremify007]

I still remember in my high school one of the PE teachers insisted he be called Doctor.

 

[Internet_Police]

Just do whatever you want.

I had one dickhead lecturer last semester and when the university results came out last semester I basically abused the shit the out of him (through emails) for his shitty lectures (and the crap mark I got as a result). I even sent him numerous emails throughout the semester, asking him wtf the lectures were meant to about and asking him stuff about the tutorials and he would not say a thing, so I fucking blew up the jerk when the marks came out.

Insulted him and his waste of a subject area to specialise in. HA, a Phd is management is worth bugger all in my opinion.

Passing first year science/engineering is a better accomplishment than doing a Phd in Management.

Pfft... university management lecturers, bloody assholes and scum of the earth.

 

[MrBean1561]

Just do whatever you want.

I had one dickhead lecturer last semester and when the university results came out last semester I basically abused the shit the out of him (through emails) for his shitty lectures (and the crap mark I got as a result). I even sent him numerous emails throughout the semester, asking him wtf the lectures were meant to about and asking him stuff about the tutorials and he would not say a thing, so I fucking blew up the jerk when the marks came out.

Insulted him and his waste of a subject area to specialise in. HA, a Phd is management is worth bugger all in my opinion.

Passing first year science/engineering is a better accomplishment than doing a Phd in Management.

Pfft... university management lecturers, bloody assholes and scum of the earth.

Which lecturer was this?

 

[Ritz1024]

Insulted him and his waste of a subject area to specialise in. HA, a Phd is management is worth bugger all in my opinion.

good luck with your university goals in 2012

 

[soloooooo]

To FOBs: if the lecturer appears to be of Chinese background etc, do not speak to them in Chinese. They may not understand it/appreciate this.