Heritage Language Program
The heritage language program consists of minority children using their native, ethnic, home or heritage language in the school as a medium of instruction with the goal of full bilingualism. This type of program is usually found in schools and classes for established and recent immigrant
language groups and community-based language initiatives.
- The goal is to revitalize the home language and the culture.
- Consists of language minority students instructed in their minority and majority language.
- Minority language group might be the majority language in the community.
- Language minority (students' home language) will be used approximately half or more of the curriculum
time.
- Most heritage language programs are implemented in elementary schools.
References
Baker, C. (2004). Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism (4th ed.) Multilingual Matters, Clevedon.
Cloud, N., Genesee, F., Hamayan, E. (2000). Dual language instruction: A handbook for enriched
education. Building Equitable Two-Way Bilingual Programs (pp. 11-12).
Boston, MA: Heinle.
Garcia, O. (2009). Bilingual education in the 21st century: A Global perspective.
Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford.