In today's culturally diverse classrooms, students possess and use many culturally, ethnically, and regionally diverse English language varieties that may differ from standardized English. This book helps classroom teachers become attuned to these differences and offers practical strategies to support student achievement while fostering positive language attitudes in classrooms and beyond. The text contrasts standardized varieties of English with Southern, Appalachian, and African American English varieties, focusing on issues that are of everyday concern to those who are assessing the linguistic competence of students. Featuring a narrative style with teaching strategies and discussion questions, this practical resource: (1) Provides a clear, introductory explanation of what is meant by non-standard English, from both linguistic and educational viewpoints; (2) Emphasizes what educators needs to know about language variation in and outside of the classroom; and (3) Addresses the social factors accompanying English language variation and how those factors interact in real classrooms. [Foreword by William Labov. Afterword by Walt Wolfram.]