Aladdin 1

What are your strengths as a language learner?

I: well, coming in as a heritage language learner what kind of strengths do you think you you have brought with you to the classroom

A: well I definitely because I’ve heard the language before I’m more familiar how to pronounce it and uh (.) I’m like sometimes when I hear words I’ve like I’ve heard that word before s:o it’s I usually when I I hear them I have (.) like I know a lot of these words I’ve heard them before I just never had a meaning connection with the word


Reflections – Are there certain strengths or weaknesses that you have observed as being characteristic of heritage or domestic language learners? If so, what were they and how did you adjust your teaching to meet their unique linguistic and or educational needs? What techniques do you use to evaluate your students strengths and weaknesses prior to formal assessments? What strategies do you use to capitalize on your students strengths? What strategies do you use to develop areas of weakness?

Several of the domestic learners in this section say they struggle with pronunciation and listening skills as a result of lack of input. On the other hand, not surprisingly, the heritage language learners identify these skills as strengths due to the authentic input of friends and family. To what extent do you incorporate authentic input into the course either in or outside of the classroom?

Aladdin 2

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