Welcome to the home of the Alliance for the Advancement of Heritage Languages
The Alliance for the Advancement of Heritage
Languages (the Alliance) consists of individuals and organizations who share a commitment to advancing language development for
heritage language speakers in the United States. The
Alliance is committed to fostering the development
of the heritage language proficiencies of individuals
in this country as part of a larger effort to educate
members of our society who can function professionally in English
and other languages.
The work of the Alliance is carried out through publications, the ongoing development of our Web site, a listserv, and national conferences.
In addition, the Alliance is compiling the Online Collection of National Heritage Language Program Profiles to promote information sharing and capacity building.
Featured Resources
Heritage Language Education: A New Field Emerging NEW!
Edited by Donna Brinton, Olga Kagan, Susan Bauckus
This volume presents a multidisciplinary perspective on teaching heritage language learners. Contributors from theoretical and applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, psychology, educational policy, and pedagogy specialists explore policy and societal issues, present linguistic case studies, and discuss curricular issues, offering both research and hands-on innovation. Learn more.
Sustaining Linguistic Diversity: Endangered and Minority Languages and Language Varieties NEW!
Edited
by Kendall A. King, Natalie Schilling-Estes, Lyn Fogle,
Jia Jackie Lou, & Barbara Soukup
This volume brings together cutting-edge theoretical and empirical work from leading researchers and practitioners in the field. Together, these contributions provide a state-of-the-art overview of current work in defining, documenting, and developing the world's smaller languages and language varieties. Learn more.
Pathways to Multilingualism: Evolving Perspectives on Immersion Education NEW!
Edited by Tara Williams Fortune & Diane J. Tedick
This volume focuses on the evolution of perspectives and practices within language immersion education and offers theoretical perspectives, research reviews and empirical studies on teaching, learning and language development in immersion programs. Learn more.
The National Museum of Languages
The National Museum of Languages (NML), a small museum that explores the transformative powers of language, recently opened to the public in early May 2008 after more than ten years in the making. A trail-blazer in the field—there are no more than three museums in the world with a similar focus--the Museum will examine the history, impact and art of language.
Learn more about this new museum.
Heritage Language Journal
There is a demonstrable need for a forum for ongoing discussion among researchers and educators interested in heritage language education. To meet this need, an online blind-refereed journal, Heritage Language Journal, was established in 2003. It is published jointly by the Center for World Languages of the University of California, Los Angeles, and the UC Consortium for Language Learning and Teaching.
Heritage Language Student Survey
Through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education , the National Heritage Language Resource Center (NHLRC) at UCLA is developing a database that will provide a greater understanding of heritage language learners' background, learning experiences, and goals.
FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO ADMINISTER THE SURVEY, PLEASE EMAIL nhlrc@international.ucla.edu
