Kat 4

Describe your other language learning experiences.

I: Did you study different languages in high school

K: I studied Spanish in high school so

I: And was that because that was the only thing to study or by choice

K: I studied it (.) in grade school and it ok it was my only choice in ( ) school k-through 8 I studied Spanish and so when I got high school I was like mine as well just stick with this because that’s what I know and the other languages they offered didn’t really interest me like I didn’t see the point in taking French or Latin so I just stuck with Spanish

Reflections – Notice that a student’s self-identity as a heritage language learner may be more culturally than linguistically rooted, and, thus, less visible in the classroom. How do your students identify themselves? Do you feel that understanding identity plays an important role in the language learning classroom to either you as the teacher or to the students themselves? Why or why not? Have you noticed ways in which student identity has positively or negatively affected the classroom dynamic? Explain.

These students as language learners are motivated to enrich their cultural heritage to build on a cultural immersion, or pursue a general interest in language. What other factors may motivate your students? How do these factors differ for domestic versus heritage learners? Do you find one group is typically more motivated than the other? How are you able to build on student motivation to enhance language learning in the classroom?

Skip to toolbar