Using examples, describe ways in which a teacher can be accepting of students who speak with dialects and at the same time help them expand their use of Standard English

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer: Teachers can demonstrate how interesting language differences are by learning more about the culture and dialect of students through reading, attending workshops, or talking to others. They can help students understand and respect each other by including literature from different cultures. They can model curiosity and interest in other cultures and dialects by inviting speakers from other cultures in the classroom. When teaching geography, the teacher can introduce the major dialect areas associated with various regions so that children learn the dialects that are common. When expanding the use of Standard English, teachers can introduce language differences by discussing the terms of home and school language. They can examine children's writing samples to determine which linguistic features should be taught first, starting with the features that are common to most students. They can teach the components of school language in a direct, explicit way. They can also expect older children to use school language in the classroom, especially if that school language has been modeled and taught in the classroom. Most importantly, the teacher can model language rather than correct it. There is evidence that correction is one of the least effective ways to change language.