Creoles and Minority Dialects in Education: An Overview

Abstract

This article describes some of the inequities and obstacles faced by speakers of creoles and related 'nonstandard' or minority dialects in formal education. It outlines some proposals for dealing with these problems and then describes some initiatives that have already been taken - such as developing resources for teachers, running public awareness campaigns and actually using the students' home varieties in the classroom. Three types of educational programmes are discussed: instrumental, accommodation and awareness, and the findings of research into each type are presented. This research reveals the educational, social and pyschological advantages of making use of creoles and minority varieties in the classroom. The article concludes with suggestions for future research and proactive initiatives for public education.