Intangible Heritage of Standard English Learners The “Invisible” Subgroup in the United States of America? Implications for Closing the Achievement Gap

/ Ogo Okoye-johnson

 

Standard English Learners (SELs) are ethnic minority native speakers of English whose mastery of the “standard English language” used in the curriculum of schools is limited due to their use of ethnic-specific nonstandard dialect. Research in language development highlights language as a tool that allows the individual access to basic civil rights and opportunities in the area of politics, economics, and education. A correlation exists between proficiency in the use of Standard English and academic achievement, thereby highlighting the importance of validating the intangible language heritage that these students bring to the school environment while they are schooled in the use of Standard English.

4 thoughts on “Intangible Heritage of Standard English Learners The “Invisible” Subgroup in the United States of America? Implications for Closing the Achievement Gap”

  1. It is critical that educators validate the language that students bring with them to school in order to effectively teach them the required language that would enable them to access tools for a successful life in any culture or setting.

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