Dialects at School ─ Educating Linguistically Diverse Students

Because students in U.S. schools represent a rich array of linguistic and cultural backgrounds, issues concerning language variation are vital for educational practitioners. Comprehensive and authoritative, this book approaches these issues from a practical perspective rooted in sociolinguistic research. Like its predecessor, Dialects in Schools and Communities, it illuminates major language-related issues that educational practitioners confront, such as responding to dialect related features in students’ speech and writing, teaching Standard English, teaching students about dialects, and distinguishing dialect difference from language disorders. Retaining the focus on the research base for accommodating dialect differences in schools, including not only sociolinguistic research but also research in teaching and learning, this new book expands the focus to include attention to English learners.

The chapters all include essential information about language variation, language attitudes, and principles of handling dialect differences in schools, and classroom based samples illustrating the application of these principles. Each chapter provides an annotated resources list for further reading. The book is supported by a Companion Website containing audio and visual materials that illustrate important information and/or pedagogical approaches, discussion questions, and assignments.

Jeffrey Reaser is Associate Professor, North Carolina State University, USA.

Carolyn Temple Adger is Senior Fellow, Center for Applied Linguistics, USA.

Walt Wolfram is William C. Friday Distinguished University Professor, North Carolina State University, USA.

Donna Christian is Senior Fellow and former President and Chief Executive Officer, Center for Applied Linguistics, USA.