Although some educators have advocated eradication of Black American English and other non-standard American English dialects in formal school training, it is recognized that many dialects are effectively used to a great degree by many Americans. Black American English, like other dialects, is a legitimate linguistic system that has logic, coherence, and grammaticality. A survey of its development shows it to be the result of a pidginization-creolization process that started with the West African slave trade, progressed through the development of the Gullah dialect, to Black American English. Notable contributors to this dialect have been West African and peasant English influences. A review of the literature indicates that there are desirable and advantageous features associated with use of Black American English; in certain situations it enhances the individual's ability to communicate effectively. Further, great value can be derived by both blacks and whites from use of this dialect. The Black American Code-Switching Technique is a strategy for teaching the utility of both standard and non-standard English forms and of enhancing student facility with each. Its use in the English composition classroom is discussed and a suggested curriculum outline is presented. An extensive bibliography is attached. (JDS)