How Can Teachers Respect English Dialects and Language Variation? With Dionna – S04E23

Which English dialects belong in the classroom, and who decides what counts as “correct” English?Gav and Em explore English language variation with Dr Dionna Latimer-Hearn from Respect the Dialect. Dionna discusses African American English (AAE), linguistic discrimination and what can happen when educators treat a learner’s dialect as incorrect or inappropriate.How can teachers avoid linguistic racism and classroom colonisation? Should learners follow one variety of English consistently? What should you do when a student uses grammar or vocabulary that differs from the English presented in their coursebook?Drawing on their classroom experience, Gav and Em consider the influence teachers, curricula and published materials have on the English learners encounter. They explain why teachers should investigate unfamiliar language before labelling it a mistake and help learners choose language appropriate for their needs, identities and communities.You’ll also hear practical strategies for creating a more inclusive English classroom, including:• introducing learners to different English dialects and accents• examining who is represented in teaching materials• discussing where language comes from and how it evolves• challenging personal assumptions about “standard English”• adapting lessons to learners’ real communication needs• creating a classroom where every learner feels heard• remaining open to learning from studentsThe episode also examines how words originating in Black English can enter advertising and popular culture while other features of the same dialect continue to be criticised or excluded.If you find the show useful, you can send us a thanks at https://ko-fi.com/howtoenglishpodVisit https://howtoenglishpod.com for practical teaching ideas and resources ready to use.Find Dionna and Respect the Dialect:https://www.respectthedialect.com/https://www.instagram.com/respectthedialect/Further resources:Linguistic racism:https://www.buffalo.edu/ubnow/stories/2021/11/baker-bell-linguistic-racism.htmlPromoting equity in the classroom:https://pce.sandiego.edu/strategies-for-promoting-equity-in-the-classroom-faqs/Supporting classroom diversity:https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/diversity-in-the-classroom/Books for learning about AAVE:https://kojiilanguages.com/books-to-learn-aave/Chapters00:00 Welcome and introducing Dionna01:10 Colonisation and language variation in classrooms03:05 Why African American English is not “incorrect”06:35 Language, identity and systemic exclusion10:55 How linguistic discrimination affects learners12:15 Which variety of English do TEFL teachers teach?15:20 Is “standard English” a myth?18:05 Deciding what teachers should correct21:10 Exploring unfamiliar English with learners24:15 Matching English lessons to learners’ real needs26:35 Black English in advertising and popular culture29:15 Practical strategies for promoting classroom equity32:45 Learn-A-Word: variety34:00 Final reflections and goodbye