Episode 24: Bidialectalism, school - research partnerships, and poverty with Nicole Patton Terry

Bi-dialectalism and Bilingualism as Strengths in Literacy Learning

The podcast episode explores the topic of bi-dialectalism and bilingualism and their potential as strengths in supporting literacy learning. The host interviews Nicole Patton Terry, a professor at Florida State University, to discuss the similarities and differences between children who grow up speaking multiple dialects and those who grow up speaking multiple languages. The conversation focuses on understanding the parallels and distinctions between these language experiences and their implications for instructional and clinical practices. The main idea emphasized is that providing children, regardless of their dialect or language background, with rich and robust language interactions is crucial for developing literacy skills.

The Impact of Dialect Differences on Reading and Writing Skills

The podcast delves into the impact of dialect differences on reading and writing skills, particularly in African American children who speak African American English. The discussion highlights the systematic phonological and morphological differences observed in this dialect, such as substitutions or omissions of grammatical endings. The variability of these dialect features in children's language usage and its potential influence on reading and writing abilities is also addressed. Additionally, the podcast explores the challenge of distinguishing between dialect differences and potential language impairment in students, as well as the implications for literacy instruction and assessment.

Challenging Misconceptions about Poverty and Language Differences

The podcast challenges common misconceptions related to children living in poverty and their language differences. The conversation emphasizes the need to move away from viewing these children as 'at-risk' based on predetermined factors, and instead focuses on understanding the vulnerabilities they may face in their specific contexts. The importance of providing vulnerable children, regardless of their socioeconomic or linguistic backgrounds, with rich and robust language experiences is highlighted as a key factor in supporting their reading and writing abilities. The discussion also addresses the significance of tackling biases and promoting value judgments towards diverse dialects and languages.

Research-Practice Partnerships and Bridging the Gap

The podcast explores the value of research-practice partnerships in bridging the gap between research and practice in education, specifically in the field of reading. The podcast highlights a recent research-practice partnership between the Florida Center for Reading Research and Leon County Schools. The partnership aims to focus on reading achievement and school success, addressing areas such as reading instruction, early learning, and special education. The conversation emphasizes the need for sustainable and collaborative efforts between researchers, educators, and other stakeholders to support evidence-based practices and innovations in education.

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Episode 24: Bidialectalism, school - research partnerships, and poverty with Nicole Patton Terry

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Deep dives

Bi-dialectalism and Bilingualism as Strengths in Literacy Learning

The Impact of Dialect Differences on Reading and Writing Skills

Challenging Misconceptions about Poverty and Language Differences

Research-Practice Partnerships and Bridging the Gap

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