Who is a heritage language learner?
In general, the term “heritage language learner” is used to describe a person studying a language who has proficiency in or a cultural connection to that language. However, just as there are different kinds of heritage languages (see What is a heritage language? ), there are different types of heritage language learners.For members of indigenous communities (e.g., Navajo, Hawaiian, Arapaho), any member of the community studying the language might be considered a heritage language learner. In such cases (e.g., Navajo children learning the Navajo language in school), all learners are members of the community and are heritage language learners regardless of their levels of Navajo proficiency. Children who come from homes where no Navajo is spoken would be considered heritage language learners, as would children who have had some home exposure to the language. In such settings, the focus of instruction might be community-oriented and focused on language preservation and maintenance, or it
