In addition to standard English being upheld in the classroom, other dialects should also be welcomed. Preventing other dialects will cause a child’s history and culture to be forgotten and can also allow for favoritism and discrimination to be brought into the classroom. By welcoming other dialects, it provides the child with an accepting environment. Embracing a wide range of languages and cultures allows for everyone to grow and can help people understand that there’s just not one language in the world. Erasing standard English will decrease a child’s chances of succeeding and surviving

Erasing a dialect from a child’s daily life forces the child to become something he is not. In “If black isn’t a language, then tell me what is”, by James Baldwin he states, “A child cannot be taught by anyone whose demand essentially, is that the child repudiate his experience, and all that gives him sustenance, and enter a limbo in which he will no longer be black, and in which he knows that he can never be white.” Schools force students to learn standard English, ignore their upbringing and their culture in order to be seen in society. In order to receive job opportunities, excel in school, and overall, just live their daily lives, they are compelled by society to reach a standard that was not even made for them. In the process of reaching these standards, these children lose everything that makes them who they are. Suddenly they realize how they are transforming into a person that even they can’t recognize. However, we must understand that standard English is one of the gateways to thriving, and simply having a degree does not work anymore. Speaking and writing in standard English is the only way to appease your audience because it shows people that you’re educated and that you are more than just the color of your skin. By teaching this to young children they will not be shocked by the world when it first hits them, but they will be ready to face it head on.

Removing dialects from the classroom can also be detrimental to children’s growth because it enables favoritism within the classroom. In “Why do I keep speaking up”, by Safwat Saleem he states, “But studies also show that discrimination in most cases is mostly because of favoritism and results more from helping people that you can relate to than harming someone you can’t relate to.” Embracing dialects and sharing them with everyone could allow for equality to be established in the classroom since everyone is learning. Usually in the classroom, there is a divide of race, education level, and status. If we put everyone at the same level and have students or teachers teaching a variety of languages, then there would be no room for favoritism and competition. It’s also important to note that people are afraid of what they do not know because they don’t know how it will impact them. This is another reason why it is important to educate beyond standard English; because there is way more in the world than just English and what happens within the United States of America. Standard English is still valuable to learn because it is still one of the most common forms of communication. The same way we should learn other languages to communicate with the outside world is the same way we should learn standard English for professional work environments.

In conclusion, standard English is used in schools and professional environments, and it cannot be erased from curriculums, but we can add on to it. There is a time and place for everything, and society must learn how to balance it according to the setting. Before walking into an interview or meeting the first thing that is introduced to your audience is your name. We are unfortunately judged based on our name and the words on our resume. Using standard English proves that you are more than just the words on a paper and can be the one thing that changes people’s opinions about you. This is the reality we must face but we should not forget that embracing dialects in school will expand children’s growth and development and will allow them to grow into well rounded individuals that will embrace the cultures of the world around them. Learning many languages and cultures gives you the advantage of wisdom and intellect. Our dialects are what make us who we are remember to never give up that piece of you, but do not also stray away from expanding yourself.