How to Integrate African American English into the Classroom

Essay , 2022 , 3 Seiten , Note: 1,7

Didaktik für das Fach Englisch - Sonstiges

Dieses Essay beschäftigt sich mit der Problematik der Achievement Gap zwischen weißen und schwarzen Amerikaner*innen, hervorgerufen durch die Bevorzugung von Standard English gegenüber African-American English. Es werden die Probleme, welche damit einhergehen erläutert, der Ursprung des Problems und mögliche Lösungsansätze.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• The Achievement Gap
• Code-Switching and Bidialectism
• Cultural Awareness and Ebonics
• Standard Language Ideology
• Counter Arguments and Criticisms
• The Need for Adaptation and Tolerance
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This text aims to address the achievement gap between black and white students in the American education system, advocating for the integration of African American English (AAE) into the classroom. It argues that the current system, which favors Standard English (SE) and marginalizes AAE, perpetuates systemic racism and inhibits the academic success of black students.

• The impact of Standard Language Ideology (SLI) on AAE speakers
• The importance of code-switching and bidialectism in educational settings
• The need for cultural awareness and respect for AAE in the classroom
• The role of standardized tests and their potential bias against AAE speakers
• The potential of adapting teaching practices and curriculum to embrace linguistic diversity

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of "Students' Right to Their Own Language" (SRTOL) and highlights the disparities in educational outcomes between black and white students. It emphasizes the need to acknowledge and respect the linguistic diversity of the classroom, particularly AAE, and to address the systemic racism that contributes to the achievement gap.
• The Achievement Gap: This chapter examines the roots of the achievement gap, arguing that it is rooted in a school system designed for white Americans and that standardized tests, which favor SE, disadvantage AAE speakers. The chapter discusses the negative perceptions and consequences associated with AAE in the classroom, highlighting the need for change.
• Code-Switching and Bidialectism: This chapter explores the importance of code-switching, the ability to transition between AAE and SE depending on the context, as a crucial skill for students. It advocates for the inclusion of contrastive analysis of AAE and SE in English classes and suggests various tasks and materials that can facilitate the development of code-switching skills.
• Cultural Awareness and Ebonics: This chapter underscores the importance of incorporating cultural awareness into the curriculum, emphasizing the cultural and historical context of AAE. It advocates for teaching about the history of Ebonics, its cultural significance, and its contributions to the English language. It also discusses the need to combat SLI and recognize the value of AAE as a legitimate and rich linguistic system.
• Counter Arguments and Criticisms: This chapter addresses counter arguments against the inclusion of AAE in the classroom, specifically critiquing the views of those who consider AAE as "poor grammar" and unsuitable for intellectual discourse. The chapter refutes these claims by highlighting the linguistic richness of AAE, its historical evolution, and its contribution to literacy development.
• The Need for Adaptation and Tolerance: This chapter focuses on the need to adapt standardized tests and teaching practices to accommodate the linguistic diversity of the classroom. It argues that teachers need to be familiar with AAE to recognize its patterns in student work and that AAE should be acknowledged and valued, not devalued or stigmatized. The chapter emphasizes the importance of promoting a positive self-image and self-esteem for AAE-speaking students.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This text focuses on key concepts such as African American English (AAE), Standard English (SE), code-switching, bidialectism, Standard Language Ideology (SLI), cultural awareness, achievement gap, systemic racism, and educational equity. It also explores the implications of linguistic diversity in the classroom and the importance of promoting a language-inclusive and culturally responsive educational environment.

• Hochschule: Freie Universität Berlin
• Note: 1,7
• Autor: Joelle Schmidt (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2022
• Seiten: 3
• Katalognummer: V1180223
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346599261
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: ebonics, aae, african american english, didactics, integration, achievement gap, code switching