About the lecture

In this module, we think about why debates about language use are so common, focusing in particular: (i) the importance of language both to the world in general and to us personally; (ii) some key issues from the last twelve months, and the extent to which people have been having the same arguments about language for decades – even centuries; (iii) debates surrounding 'correctness' in English use; (iv) the history and development of Standard English; and (v) the arguments for having Standard English, and the reason there is so much deviation from that standard.

About the lecturer

Dan Clayton taught English for fifteen years, first at Colchester Sixth Form College and then at St. Francis Xavier Sixth Form College in south London. His main interests are in English Language A level and the teaching of English Language in secondary schools.