ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN 2ND AND 3RD GENERATION HERITAGE

LANGUAGE SPEAKERS

Carolyn HudsonTESL 6476 Advanced Pedagogy

This presentation summarizes the findings of

a study on heritage language speakers as presented by Debra

Suarez, of the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

Definition

English Language Learners are defined as

students with limited English proficiency who

speak a language other than English

at home.

(NCELA, 2006)

Introduction

This report looks at the phenomenon of

English Language Learners who were born in the United

States, but for various reasons have

not mastered the English Language.

The number of English Language

Learners in United

States public schools has

been consistently rising since

1989.

U.S. born ELL’s do not conform to the Three-Generation

Expectation

The Three-Generation Expectation

basically states that a family’s

native language is lost by the

third generation.

(Fishman, 1966; Veltman, 1983)

Current demographics show that the native

language is not lost and replaced with English by

the third generation.

A Preference for English

Studies show that although second

generation heritage speakers seek to maintain

their heritage language, there is

a strong preference for

English.

https://www.google.com

What does this mean for ESL teachers?

The Role of ESL Teachers in Supporting Heritage Language Speakers

ESL teachers can play a role in supporting

heritage language maintenance by becoming strong advocates for bi-

literacy.

(Grant & Wong, 2003)

References

Fishman, J. (1966). Language loyalty in the United States. The Hague: Mouton.

Grant, R., & Wong, S. (2003). Barriers to literacy for language minority learners: An argument for change in the literacy education profession. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 46(5), 386-394.

National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition and Language Instruction Educational Programs (NCELA). (2006). Frequently asked questions. Washington, DC: George Washington University. Retrieved May 4, 2007, from http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/expert/faq/

Veltman, C. (1983). Language shift in the United States. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.