book review

Hudley and Mallinson (2011) took an in depth look at language variations in the United States and how these language variations affect educators. They focus in on several different topics throughout their text including, Standard English, Southern English, African American English, how educators can better educate children who speak these language variations and the affects of these language variations in regards to assessment. Hudley and Mallinson (2011) do not believe there is a true Standard English, out there. However, they do understand that the idea of the Standard English is important for students in terms of their ability to succeed not only in school but also in the business world.

Hudley and Mallinson (2011) take a multicultural approach to teaching Standard English which they refer to as School English. Their approach involves four important aspects. These aspects include defining standardized or school English and explaining the connotations involved with it, for example prestige, intelligence, and power. Another aspect is to explicitly teach the different rules, norms, grammar, and conventions of standardized or school English. The next important part of their approach is to use students’ language variations in order to predict where students will struggle with School English, and then utilize their language variation to teach School English. The last and one of the most important aspects of this approach is that educators have positive and fostering attitudes towards all language variations.

Southern English was one of the variations that were focused in on in this text. Hudley and Mallinson (2011) identified that the South is one of the most populated areas of the United States but at the same time also has on...

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...ate guidelines for graders to make the most educated and appropriate choices. Hudson and Mallinson (2011) give several useful tips on how to help prepare students for these types of standardized tests. For example, they suggest that teachers explicitly teach the academic vocabulary likely to be in the directions for these assessments. Often students cannot even decode and comprehend what is being asked of them let alone have the ability to complete the task. Another suggestion made was to try and prepare students for the types of topics that are often on these tests. Therefore, familiarizing students with topics that hey may have never had any exposure o prior to the assessment due to their cultural background.

Works Cited

Charity Hudley, A. H., & Mallinson, C. (2011). Understanding English language variation in U.S. schools. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.