Deborah J. Vause

Now adopted by over 40 states, the Common Core State Standards provide a clear and consistent framework for public school systems as they develop student learning goals that define the path to readiness for college, careers, and informed citizenship. While each state is developing its own procedures for adoption of the Standards, individual teachers will continue to hold the ultimate responsibility for devising lesson plans and tailoring instruction to meet these benchmarks. Making Language Matter will help prospective and practicing teachers develop lessons to meet the benchmarks enumerated in the Standards for the English Language Arts categories: language, speaking and listening, writing, and reading. A timely text for literacy education courses, it explores language topics within these categories and suggests pedagogical approaches and activities for use in 9-12 language arts classrooms. Using a linguistics approach to unify the study of all the language arts, it engages readers in learning how to help students make purposeful language choices essential for both academic and workplace success.

Now adopted by over 40 states, the Common Core State Standards provide a clear and consistent framework for public school systems as they develop student learning goals that define the path to readiness for college, careers, and informed citizenship. While each state is developing its own procedures for adoption of the Standards, individual teachers will continue to hold the ultimate responsibility for devising lesson plans and tailoring instruction to meet these benchmarks. Making Language Matter will help prospective and practicing teachers develop lessons to meet the benchmarks enumerated in the Standards for the English Language Arts categories: language, speaking and listening, writing, and reading. A timely text for literacy education courses, it explores language topics within these categories and suggests pedagogical approaches and activities for use in 9-12 language arts classrooms. Using a linguistics approach to unify the study of all the language arts, it engages readers in learning how to help students make purposeful language choices essential for both academic and workplace success.

This lively introduction to the study of language explores American English and its place within contemporary society, highlighting the role of language in our daily lives. Beginning with a definition of language, the text unpacks the basic concepts used in linguistics, placing them in the context of real-life situations. Using examples from popular culture, the authors show how the study of language is relevant to students' experience. Teachers and students will appreciate the book's innovative structure, designed to build an understanding of how different aspects of language work together. A variety of exercises - individual, group, discussion, research – is provided to support every teaching style. Imaginatively organised and fun to use, American English is the ideal guide to language study for students taking the subject as a general education requirement, beginning undergraduates in linguistics, and future teachers of English.