Heritage Language Programs

Our Heritage Language Programs consist of two-semester sequences of courses that prepare students to take content courses in the language. The programs include beginning and intermediate courses for bilingual learners who have had little or no formal education in the language but have a connection to the language through community and family ties. Our programs will expand the oral and written communication skills of heritage language learners through a project-based approach to learning.

These courses use the language students have grown up listening to at home as the foundation for developing their proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking the home language. We know that the proficiency levels and experiences with the home language vary greatly among heritage speakers. In our Heritage Language Programs, heritage speakers of all levels (beginning, intermediate, or advanced) can take courses that have been created specifically to respond to their unique needs and build upon the skill set of the heritage learner at different stages of development.

Heritage learners can both meet the Brooklyn College language requirement and continue to expand their knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, and Spanish and further develop their communicative skills.

Goals and Objectives of Our Heritage Language Programs

• Further develop communicative abilities.
• Increase knowledge and use of grammatical structures and achieve communicative competence.
• Develop an academic register.
• The home language and culture of the heritage learner are reinforced and validated.
• There is a specific focus on the literary and cultural production of, as well as themes and topics pertinent to, U.S. Arab, Chinese, Haitian-American, and Latinx populations.
• There is a focus on the specific language needs of heritage learners.

Annual Schedule of Heritage Classes

How to Determine Which Heritage Speaker Course Is Right for You

If you are unsure about your level for these courses, send an e-mail in the target language to the professor indicated below telling them about your background and connection to the culture and why you would like to take this class. This e-mail will help us further assess your level and guide you better.

Arabic

Students with a community connection to Arabic should e-mail Professor Elkhair.

Chinese

Students with a community connection to Chinese should e-mail Associate Professor Chia-Ju Chang.

Haitian Creole

Students with a community connection to Haitian Creole should e-mail Professor Quesada Nieto.

Russian

Students with a community connection to Russian should e-mail Professor Quesada Nieto.

Spanish

Students with a community connection to Spanish should e-mail Professor Quesada Nieto.
Students can take a Placement Exam for Heritage Speakers to receive a recommendation for which course is appropriate for their skill level. Visit the Language Lab and request to take a Placement Exam for Heritage Speakers.

Benefits of the Heritage Language Program

• Students are able to fulfill the Brooklyn College language requirement with one class: Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, or Spanish 1038.
• The specific needs of heritage speakers will be met with these tailored courses.

Learn More

You can learn more about heritage language learners and community language programs by reading these briefs:

• Who is a heritage language learner? (pdf)
• What is a heritage language program? (pdf)

Additional Resources

Here are some additional resources on heritage languages in the United States:

• Heritage Languages in America
• National Heritage Language Resource Center