The Effects of Standard English on Non-Standard English Language Learners in Schools

1. By: Kathrine Tatlonghari SLS 302 The Effects of Standard English on Non-Standard English Language Learners in Schools

2. Inspirations • Aspiring Secondary Education Teacher • Ways to be a better teacher • What to do/not to do? • How to motivate my students?

3. Questions? Will Standard English affect non-standard English language learners in schools? To what extent will it affect these English language learners? Hypothesis: The negative outlook will disconnect the student from the learning process of English.

4. History 101 Why English?

6. Integrated in education and British government beginning in 1300. • Many resources available for voyages

7. Here ye’ here ye’! • 1607 –touch down in Jamestown, Virginia. • Old English brought to Americas

8. 19th-20th century = English spread through all corners of the world.

9. History 101 – Why English? • Bauer (2002), “Dutch was seen as a more useful language to learn than English. Yet by the time of Elizabeth II, the number of native speakers of English had increased to some 350 million” (p. 13)

10. Integrated in education and British government beginning in 1300. • Many resources available for voyages

11. IMAGINE IF THE WORLD LANGUAGE IS JAPANESE

12. Or worse?!

13. Mere luck!

14. What constitutes Standard English? • Linguists believe that there is no such thing as dialect of a language that is lacking or should be seen as poorly. • Depends on your area, community, government, etc.

16. What Is Standard English? • “A controversial term of a form of English language that is written and spoken by educators. “ –about.com • “Refers to whatever form of the English language that is accepted as a national norm.” – wikipedia.com • Abbreviation is S.E.

17. Huh? What? Speak English! That IS English.

18. Advantages of S.E. • Carter (1997) found that there is a close relationship with standard English and the written language. • Written language = literacy, prestige, & intelligence • Printing Press established forms of standard language

19. Advantages of S.E. • Social Unifier & Social Mobility • (1953) Research study by UNESCO in West Indies wanted bidialectal education but Jamaicans and aboriginals did not want anything else but Standard English. • Why? • Jamaican Creole English was linked to low social status and slavery.

20. Disadvantages of S.E. • Teacher’s fault? • Negative stigma on students stops motivation and brings down self-esteem • Example: • Chicano teachers in E. Austin look down on local varieties • Surroundings in Laredo Valley value high quality English for communication

21. Effects Student-to-teacher interaction will become difficult because the student will feel less secure with someone who does not appreciate their common identity. Not welcomed in the classroom No motivation or interest = increase in drop out Alienation from community

22. Example # 2 • Hawaii Pidgin English • According to Allsop (2010), “Speakers who have inherited nonstandard varieties of plantation English continue to face special literacy barriers in schools, where Standard English proficiency correlates closely with academic success” (p. 10).

23. Results • McWhorter (1998) - nothing wrong about nonstandard dialects. • Varieties of English are traced to Old English. • Many linguists believe that non-standard English should also be incorporated into the teaching of Standard English in schools. • As long as the incorporation of this language includes some knowledge of Standard English, the effects will be beneficial.

24. What teachers should do? • Change their mentality to understanding and accepting cultural languages. • Benefit: Appreciation of cultural backgrounds facilitates in self-confidence and self-respect • Increased motivation and creates new learning in an exciting matter.

25. Thank you