The language that we speak is one aspect of our personality that reflects aspects of our personality as well as where we come from.  There is a certain syntax, pronunciation, and register that are indicative of the class, region, as well as other characteristics of a persons life.  Ruby Payne focuses of the way that registers effect communication in schools.  She uses a study by Joos, who  states that there are five different registers by which we speak.  Those are as follows:           

Frozen-Frozen is always the same.  Examples of this register in wedding vows and the Lord's Prayer.

Formal-This is the register that is used in school and at work.  Payne says that is this register, has specific word choice and complete sentences.

Consultative-Consultative is the register that is used in conversation.  It is more lax than formal.

Casual-This is the language that is used with friends.  It is characterized by incomplete sentences which are completed by body language assists.

Intimate-Intimate language is saved for very intimate relationships. When used outside of this relationship it is considered sexual harassment.

The role that all of this plays in education is the difference between school register (Formal) and the register that many children from poverty speak in (casual).  This causes two discrepancies in the educational process.

One of these problems is that the students are expected to switch registers when at school, However they have little to no experience with the formal register at home.  Therefore, when they are expected to write a paper or function in class their grades are effected.  In fact, the American culture in general grades the intelligence of a person according to their ability to use the formal register.  While these children may be incredibly intelligent they are passed of as being slower because of their inability to use a foreign register.  An example of this is seen in the debate over Ebonics.  One author discusses the struggles that people who speak in Ebonics have in school and in the workplace. They are looked down upon and seen as unintelligent.

The second dilemma comes in working with parents.  In poverty it is common to "dance around the subject" before coming to the point.  So it becomes offensive to parents when teachers get straight to the point.  They are thought to be rude and impersonal for doing that.  On the other hand, teachers find themselves getting frustrated with trying to get the parents to "get to the point."  

This small difference creates a big barrier for communication within the classroom.  But it is not without solutions.  By understanding these predicaments teachers can work toward being more appreciative toward the differences and even more creative in working toward overcoming the barriers.