Standard/school English as a second dialect : perspectives from four British Columbia school districts ...

• Main Author: Campbell, Heather Louise
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2011
• Subjects: First Nations; inuit
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0072031; https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0072031

Children of First Nations, Métis and Inuit heritage who speak a dialect of English that differs from the standard language of instruction in school may encounter communication and academic challenges (Ball, 2007). “Standard English as a Second Dialect” programs (SESD) have been developed in part to respond to these challenges. Recent research by Battisti, Friesen and Krauth (2009) has shown that supplementary funding for SESD under the ESL policy framework has had positive effects on the reading scores of Aboriginal children, but the specific programs and services that are contributing to this improvement are unknown. This qualitative study investigated current practices regarding SESD assessment and implementation of SESD programs in four British Columbia school districts (both rural and urban). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with several speech-language pathologists (SLPs), resource teachers and other educators or administrators who were involved in their district’s SESD programs. ...