Dilemma
One of my students has a thick inner-city accent. This is going to hold him back in life, no question. It would be nice if people didn't discriminate, but they do. He is nice, polite, and hard-working... doesn't matter. His accent marks him.
How do I delicately go about referring him to the speech services? I'm trying to figure out who his adviser is. I hope his adviser can do this instead of me.
I guess I'm also worried that I'd be accused of discrimination or being insulting or something. But really, no one has done this kid any favors by letting him get this far without speaking "Standard American English". If this kid wants to be taken seriously when he gets out, and have access to a wider range of opportunities, he needs to learn to speak the standard dialect.
What are your thoughts?
How do I delicately go about referring him to the speech services? I'm trying to figure out who his adviser is. I hope his adviser can do this instead of me.
I guess I'm also worried that I'd be accused of discrimination or being insulting or something. But really, no one has done this kid any favors by letting him get this far without speaking "Standard American English". If this kid wants to be taken seriously when he gets out, and have access to a wider range of opportunities, he needs to learn to speak the standard dialect.
What are your thoughts?