[Lawrence M.]

The issue of Ebonics is dicey and complex. First, very few people advocate ebonics be “taught,” any more than they intend bilingual education to teach Hispanic/Latino students to speak Spanish. Rather, the intent is to make use of the language assets a student might already possess as a bridge to success in other academic areas, including the acquisition of standard English language skills. There is considerable debate, however, about the status of Ebonics as a “language.” However, in my view there is nothing wrong in teaching children who say “dese” and “dey” or use Ebonics-based grammar structures that these forms of speech are acceptable expressions of their cultural identity and are rooted in the black experience in America. Teachers who learn and acknowledge these assets are more likely to “connect” with these students and succeed in transferring standard English language skills, as opposed to a teacher who derides their speech as an indication of either their profound ignorance, stupidity or both.

User Detail :  

Name : Lawrence M., Gender : M, Race : Black/African American, Age : 35, City : Patchogue, State : NY, Country : United States, Occupation : Consultant, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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