How can teachers help?

The majority of poor and minority students do not have a familiarity with formal language. It is not spoken at home. Formal language is important for several reasons. Test are written in formal register such as the SAT and the ACT. Interviews are done in formal register. A hidden rule of the middle class is to be able to use formal register. Formal register is not only the words that are spoken but also the tone and sound of what is spoken. Story and sentence structure are important. If there is no beginning, middle, and end there is confusion.

Some things teachers can do to help:

• Have students write in casual register and translate to formal register
• Have students as part of their discipline requirements write how they feel in formal register
• Tell a story both ways in the classroom, discuss differences with students
• Use stories in science, math, social studies to make connections and develop concepts
• Directly teach formal register and explain how it will affect their lives, test taking, higher education, landing a good job