Language, Identity, And Literacy: Understanding African American English

Overview

This one-hour training explores the linguistic features of African American English (AAE) and its relevance in the context of literacy instruction. Participants will examine common misconceptions about AAE, consider how culturally responsive teaching can enhance literacy outcomes for students who speak AAE, and identify strategies to build on students’ linguistic strengths rather than viewing their language as a barrier. The session blends linguistics, education, and social justice to foster inclusive and effective literacy practices.

Following this training, participants will be able to:

List at least three key linguistic features of African American English
Describe how negative attitudes toward AAE can impact literacy instruction and student self-perception.
Identify at least two classroom strategies that support literacy development while affirming students’ linguistic identities.

This course meets the 2 PDH requirement previously referred to as DEI as well as Professional Development hours towards your ASHA renewal since it is approved by TSHA! You can count these hours towards ASHA renewal when you submit your Compliance Form.

Curriculum

1 Section
3 Lessons
Lifetime

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Course Curriculum
4

Instructor

Alexis Lawton

Alexis Lawton, MS+30, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist in Walterboro, South Carolina. She is an adjunct professor in the speech-language pathology program at West Coast University. She is the assistant director of programming of the South Carolina Multilingual Learner Network. She's also working on her PhD in literacy, language, and culture at Clemson University. Alexis' current research interests are bi/multilingualism, literacy, language, language difference vs disorder, culturally sustaining literacy pedagogies, and preparing SLP students to work with individuals with diverse communication and learning needs.