In instructional settings, student dialects often play an unconscious, yet multifaceted role, in the teaching and learning process. This interactive workshop intends to foster dialect awareness amongst its participants and will introduce faculty to teaching strategies designed to promote an inclusive learning environment. Participants will have hands-on practice with dialect structure, be invited into discussion about dialect's place in the classroom, and will have opportunity to divine teaching strategies inclusive of dialect difference that will work in their classrooms.

In truth, language is inextricably linked to cultural identity, and as thus in North American society, its use is ratified by those groups that are socially powerful. The result being that the speech of those who are disenfranchised or considered "marginal" is judged to be inadequate in comparison with the language of the dominant group. What this translates to is a symbolic perpetuation of ethnic, gender, regional, and socioeconomic prejudice. Language prejudice is indeed one of the last accepted forms of discrimination in the United States.

Unfortunately, language prejudice is often masked in socialized behavior towards education. In other words, students are judged to be "educated" by how well they are able to apply the standard--that is, the socially ratified forms of phonological, grammatical, and lexical language use. The standard is considered "correct," and dialects (sometimes referred to as slang) are judged to be poor approximations of the standard. Perpetuating this socialization, even highly educated and diversity-aware people become unknowing propagators of language prejudice, and myths about language use, structure, and history prevail. There is no level of education at which language prejudice can be ignored--even and especially at the post-secondary level. As we strive to serve our students individually and create a community of learners in a culturally diverse world, it becomes increasingly important to debunk myths about language use and structure, and this workshop seeks to participate in that process.
More information...

Location:	The Inn: Smithfield Room
Price:	free - registration requested
Sponsor:	Center for Instructional Development and Educational Research
Contact:	Eddie Watson edwatson@vt.edu (540) 231-7930
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