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[LISTEN AGAIN] Language Variations and Teaching Reading with Julie Washington
Apr 25, 2025
Julie Washington, a UC Irvine professor and expert on language and literacy, shares her insights into the intersection of language variations and reading instruction. She emphasizes that language diversity, particularly African American English, should be seen as a strength in literacy education. The discussion covers strategies for embracing students’ linguistic backgrounds to improve comprehension and engagement. Julie advocates for high expectations while addressing the biases educators may hold, ultimately aiming to empower diverse learners through inclusive practices.
46:51
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Quick takeaways
- Understanding and leveraging students' linguistic strengths, particularly those speaking African American English, enhances their reading development effectively.
- High expectations and targeted teaching methods that respect linguistic diversity foster an inclusive environment that supports all students' literacy growth.
Deep dives
The Importance of Differentiated Instruction in Reading
Teaching reading effectively requires recognizing the unique language backgrounds of students, particularly African-American children who may speak African-American English. While the science of reading provides universal strategies, successful instruction must be differentiated to accommodate the language variations that students bring to the classroom. This distinction emphasizes that simply applying the same teaching methods to all children overlooks their individual linguistic needs and can hinder their reading development. By adapting instruction to leverage the strengths of each student's language background, educators can foster more effective learning experiences.
