假若要对一群中学生说话，开头的称呼语是比较灵活的，比如：如果讲话者也是学生，可以用 Hi, everyone 之类的；如果讲话者是老师，可以用 Boys and girls 之类的。但在某些特殊情况下，用 ladies and gentlemen 也是可能的，这通常见于比较正式的场合，而且是把学生当作成年人来看等（有让学生感觉受到尊重的意味）。比如人教版初中英语九年级（全一册）第110页：课文内容是老师在学生毕业典礼上对学生的讲话，开头用的就是ladies and gentlemen。附原文如下：

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for coming today to attend the graduation ceremony at No. 3 Junior High School. First of all, I’d like to congratulate all the students who are here today. I remember meeting all of you when you were just starting Grade 7 at this school. You were all so full of energy and thirsty for knowledge. And yes, some of you were a little difficult to deal with! But today I see a room full of talented young adults who are full of hope for the future. You’ve all grown up so much and I’m so proud of you.

Although you’ve all worked very hard over the last three years, none of you could have succeeded by yourselves. Along the way, I’m sure many people have helped and supported you. I’d like you to remember to thank all of these important people in your lives — your parents, your teachers, your classmates and your friends. Please consider what they’ve done for you and what they mean to you. Never fail to be thankful to the people around you.

Lastly, the end of junior high school is the beginning of a new life. I don’t need to tell you that life in senior high school will be harder and that you have many difficult tasks ahead of you. You’ll make mistakes along the way, but the key is to learn from your mistakes and never give up. But along with difficulties, there will also be many exciting things waiting for you. Behind each door you open are chances to learn new things, and you have the ability to make your own choices. Choose wisely and be responsible for your decisions and actions. Although you have to go your separate ways now, I wish that in a few years’ time, you’ll come back to visit our school. As you set out on your new journey, you shouldn’t forget where you came from. The future is yours.

Good luck and hope to see you again soon sometime!