This week, we received a question from Agnaldo, a teacher in Brazil. He asks,
I've seen recently that we shouldn't call a teacher "Teacher." We should call him or her by their name. Is that true? Why? Is it the same for professors? -- Agnaldo, Brazil. Dear Agnaldo, This is a great question. I have taught in many countries where the common practice is for students to call me Teacher. It always sounded a little strange to me. Most Americans do not use Teacher to address a teacher in English. Sometimes Americans do use titles this way, however. For example, they might address a medical doctor as simply Doctor, a religious leader as Reverend or a judge, as Your Honor.