Dialects in Schools and Communities [Paperback]

Walt Wolfram (Author), Carolyn Temple Adger (Author), Donna Christian (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 080582863X | ISBN-13: 978-0805828634 | Publication Date: January 3, 1999 | Edition: 1

This book describes dialect differences in American English and their impact on education and everyday life. This resource is intended for use by teacher interns and practicing teachers in elementary and secondary education, specialists in reading and writing, speech/language pathologists, and special education teachers. In most of these fields, information about dialects is considered to be an important part of professional preparation, but until now, there has been no text specifically designed to address this need. Practitioners and students of education will find this volume indispensable to understanding the central principles of dialect diversity and to addressing dialect differences in instruction.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A Because teaching and learning occur through language, teachers need a broad understanding of language variation and how it affects curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Adger, Wolfram, and Christian have made knowledge about language variation accessible and provide tools for teachers to use in gaining a deeper understanding of the languages and cultures of their own students. Teachers who care about educational equity and diversity will find the book important to their work."

David Bloome, The Ohio State University

"A There are still widespread myths and negative attitudes about dialect variations in student language. This second edition of an already classic text can help all students become confidently bi-dialectal but only if all teachers, coaches, and professional developers B across the curriculum B take its conceptual messages to heart, and take its beautifully-designed exercises into all classrooms and workshops."

Courtney Cazden, Harvard University

" This is a terrific book for both pre-service and in-service teacher education. The authors clearly illustrate dialect differences at all linguistic levels, from pronunciation to grammar to vocabulary, and they also analyze the linguistic and cultural implications of these differences for teaching and assessing speaking, reading, and writing in academic English. They deserve kudos for making dialect differences so interesting and accessible!"

Marcia Farr, The Ohio State University

About the Author

Carolyn Temple Adgeris director of the Language in Society Division at the Center for Applied Linguistics, a national non-profit organization devoted to improving communication through better understanding of language and culture. For many years, she has worked with teachers in culturally diverse schools, leading professional development and conducting research on aspects of language in education. Dr. Adger’s research on children’s language use has been reported in a number of articles and chapters. Her books includeKids Talk: Strategic Language Use in Later Childhood(co-edited),Making the Connection: Language and Academic Achievement Among African American Students(co-edited), andWhat Teachers Need to Know About Language(co-edited), as well asDialects in Schools and Communities(co-authored).She holds an M.S. and a Ph.D. in sociolinguistics from Georgetown University and a master's degree in English language arts education from the University of Maryland. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (January 3, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080582863X
• ISBN-13: 978-0805828634
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,321,898 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great info for ESOL teachers too!, August 3, 2004

By 

Shelley "Madelainey" (Bethesda, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dialects in Schools and Communities (Paperback)

This book is an excellent introduction to the problems ESOL teachers have with the newer waves of immigrants from other English-speaking countries. Though the book concentrates on U.S. -- mostly African-American-- dialect differences, it could also be used as a starting point for creating policies for Caribbean and African students who speak other dialects or creoles, who are not intelligible to American teachers, yet who don't need ESOL classes. The next step would be to examine these newer populations and figure out what kind of classes they DO need. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful introduction to linguistic terminology, December 10, 2011

By 

Bettylene W. Franzus "culinary novice" (Johnson City, TN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dialects in Schools and Communities (Paperback)

For persons unfamiliar with the jargon of linguistics and the sociolinguistic affects of language, this book is an excellent introduction. The addition of a glossary would have been an enhancement. The first five chapters were especially valuable for orientation while the later chapters dwelt more on the actual American English parts of speach. I would recommend this book as a text as well as a useful adjunct reference.