Understanding English Language Variation in U. S. Schools

by Hudley, Anne H. Charity; Mallinson, Christine; Labov, William; Wolfram, Walt (AFT)

• ISBN13: 9780807751480
• ISBN10: 0807751480
• eBook ISBN(s): 9780807774021
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-12-05
• Publisher: Teachers College Pr
• More Book Details

Summary

In today's culturally diverse classrooms, students possess and use many culturally, ethnically, and regionally diverse English language varieties that may differ from standardized English. This book helps classroom teachers become attuned to these differences and offers practical strategies to support student achievement while fostering positive language attitudes in classrooms and beyond. The text contrasts standardized varieties of English with Southern, Appalachian, and African American English varieties, focusing on issues that are of everyday concern to those who are assessing the linguistic competence of students.

Author Biography

Anne H. Charity Hudley is assistant professor of English, linguistics, and Africana studies at the College of William Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Christine Mallinson is assistant professor in the Language, Literacy, and Culture Program and affiliate assistant professor in the Gender and Women's Studies Program at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC). Visit the authors' professional development website at http://charityhudleymallinson.com/professionaldevelopment.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword	p. vii
Foreword	p. xiii
Preface	p. xvii
Acknowledgments	p. xix
Valuable Voices	p. 1
Language Variation	p. 2
Language, Students, and Multicultural Education	p. 4
Who We Are	p. 6
What Educators Want to Know About Language Variation	p. 9
What is Standard English?	p. 11
English Language Standards	p. 11
Teaching Language Standards	p. 12
Learning Language Standards	p. 14
Some Features of School English	p. 21
The Privilege of Standardized English	p. 35
Southern English: A Regional and Cultural Variety	p. 37
Defining the South	p. 38
Language Variation in the South	p. 39
Attitudes Toward Southern English	p. 42
The Value of Southern Language and Culture	p. 44
Features of Southern English	p. 49
The Take-Away Message	p. 67
African American English: An Ethnic and Cultural Variety	p. 69
The History of African American English	p. 70
Attitudes Toward African American English	p. 72
The Value of African American Language and Culture	p. 73
Features of African American English	p. 79
The Take-Away Message	p. 109
Assessment and Application	p. 110
Testing Specific Populations	p. 111
The Culture of Standardized Tests	p. 117
The Language of Standardized Tests	p. 120
Other Types of Assessment	p. 137
Language-Centered Action Plans for Educators	p. 139
Conclusion	p. 140
Afterword	p. 143
References	p. 145
About the Authors	p. 161
Index	p. 163
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