The Alliance for the Advancement of

Heritage Languages

What is the Alliance?

Individuals and organizations committed to

working together to promote the conservation and

development of the heritage languages in the United States

promote the education of a citizenry that can function professionally in English and other languages

Heritage language speakersHeritage language speakers include

immigrant, refugee, and indigenous groups and their offspring.

Their oral proficiency and literacy in the language may range from zero to native level.

They may have uneven skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Guiding Principles of the Alliance

The United States is rich in diverse languages and cultures.

These languages and cultures must be preserved and developed for enhancing our world language capacity and cultural diversity.

The United States must ensure that all citizens are equipped linguistically and culturally to communicate successfully in a pluralistic society at home and abroad.

All students must develop oral proficiency and literacy in English and at least one other language.

Guiding Principles of the Alliance

Americans who have a language other than English as their heritage language should maintain and develop that language as they acquire English

English-speaking Americans should study another language.

Guiding Principles of the Alliance

To promote the maintenance and development of heritage languages, we need policies, strategies, and resources.

We need to develop structures through which we can collaborate to accomplish this vision. 

Roles of the Alliance

Policy Development& Advice

Research

InformationExchange

Public Relations & Promotion

Program Support & ProfessionalDevelopment

Coordination & Technical Assistance

Current Alliance Efforts

Infrastructure Buildingand

Information Exchange

Awareness and Public Relations

Infrastructure Building and Information ExchangeProfiles of heritage language programs

(e.g., heritage language schools and other language programs, curricula and materials, resources) Project in progress

Information about language policy, teaching, and research

Updates on innovation, experimentation, and linkages among different education sectors

Public Relations and Promotion

General publicHeritage language communitiesDistrict and state boards of educationLanguage and other educatorsNational education organizations

Government agencies

Future Directions

Policy Development and Advice

Development of and influence on national, state, and local policy related to language maintenance and development

Advice to groups seeking to engage in heritage language development projects

ResearchFirst language literacy

Transmission and maintenance of heritage languages

Heritage language learning and attrition

Heritage language communities and speakers

Bilingualism in heritage language speakers

Heritage languages in mainstream education

Instruction of heritage language learners (curricula, instructional strategies, materials, assessments)

Policy developments

International comparisons

Professional Development

Pre- and in-service training and professional development for heritage language program teachers and administrators Interpreters and translators (e.g., medical, judicial, military)Educators and others working with heritage language communities and learners

Coordination

Language offerings

Language-specific curricula and materials

Learner assessment and program evaluation

Policy activity

Education Sectors

Community Settings

PreK-12Education

Higher Education

Non-governmentOrganizations

Federal and StateGovernments

Private Sector

Community Settings

Heritage communities and schools

Related social, cultural, and business activities and organizations

PreK-12 Education

TeachersSchool and district administratorsLocal boards of educationState departments of educationParents

Higher Education

(universities and community colleges)

Settings for language study, research, training and professional development of language educators

Non-government Organizations

Research and policy institutes Professional associationsLabor organizationsAdvocacy organizations

Private foundations

Federal Government

Agencies

LegislaturesCourts

Private Sector

Business and industryPrivate corporationsLanguage services industryMedia

Contribute to the work of the Heritage Languages Alliance

Submit a profile of your heritage language program (www.cal.org/heritage/programs/profiles/)

Propose and conduct a project under the umbrella of the Alliance

Let others know about the Alliance

Serve as regional or local coordinator to promote the Alliance

Interested? Visit www.cal/org/hertiage or contact Joy Kreeft Peyton, joy@cal.org