“A Defense for Requiring Standard English” By Thomas J. Farrell, 1983

Why this article? Controversial Ideas dating back many decades Related Experience

Background of the article Overview Great Controversy Published 1983 in CCC Solicited many reactions James Sledd

About the Author Associate Professor at St. Louis University Department of Composition Received Ph.D. from St. Louis University Rhetorical theory and history of rhetoric Orality-literacy studies Studied Walter J. Ong & Eric A. Havelock

Publications “Media, Consciousness, and Culture: Explorations of Walter Ong's Thought” 1991 (Co-editor and co-author) “Communication and Lonergan” 1993 “I.Q. and Standard English” CCC “Literacy, the Basics, and All That Jazz” 1977

Some Definitions… Standard English The standard surface forms of English grammar Real Racism A deep seated personal malady (moral disorder) Ethnocentric Belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group

Question How many of you agree with Farrell, meaning you think that all students should be required to learn Standard English?

Child Development Literate Culture Occurs gradually over time Residual Culture Learning based on oral tradition Don’t develop abstract thinking skills How do you obtain abstract thinking skills? Learn Standard English.

Question Who should be responsible for making sure that children have the proper skills necessary to learn Standard English? Parents? Teachers? Friends?

Argument #1 Sledd Teachers should be sensitive to student feelings when correcting them. Farrell To teach, you MUST correct students. You can’t predict how students will react.

Question Do you think it is possible to be sensitive to students feelings, but also get your point across as a teacher? Have the expectations of teachers changed over the years? From 30 years ago? From when we were small students?

Argument #2 Sledd Teachers should learn the dialects of their students. Farrell You don’t have to understand dialects to teach students.

Activity Search for Articles dealing with the 1996 issues of teaching Ebonics in the Oakland School area. Topics: What is Ebonics Who is Carrie Secret LSA’s Resolution Boards Decision

Question Is “Ebonic” considered a dialect? How important do you think understanding a student’s dialect is in order to teach them effectively?

Argument #3 Sledd Minorities can learn English if they CHOOSE to learn it. Farrell School Policy Student Practice

Question Why is learning Standard English important?

Question What do you think are the differences between our education systems feelings and actions surrounding Standard English, and societies feelings and actions?