Name
Identifying and Eliminating Discrimination Based on Accent or Dialect from the Classroom
Date & Time
Thursday, April 15, 2021, 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Eric Conte Carlos de Cuba Jason Leggett Poppy Slocum Laura Spinu
Description

In this workshop, we will examine linguistic discrimination in the classroom. Conscious or unconscious biases against speakers of “nonstandard” varieties of English are often reflected in our teaching practices, to the detriment of students. Do your syllabus or grading rubrics reference use of “standard English” or “appropriate grammar”? Have you ever deducted points of an assignment due to the presence of linguistic structures that are considered acceptable in a non-standard dialect? If so, what are the consequences for your students? Are there any alternatives? In this workshop, participants will learn about linguistic discrimination and identify ways to move away from approaches that unfairly penalize speakers of “nonstandard” varieties of English without sacrificing academic rigor. Instead, we recommend an asset-based approach which recognizes the value of all language varieties.

Session Type
Workshop