Embedded Files
Research Question:
Research Question:
What factors contribute to the loss of heritage language in U.S. schools, and how can early bilingual education effectively prevent this shift across generations?
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
Our project explores the importance of multilingualism and language preservation by focusing on the needs of emerging bilingual students in Texas. Heritage languages, such as Spanish, are often lost within a few generations. For clarification, a heritage language is a minority language that is spoken at home in an area where the language is not typically spoken.
As such, we aim to raise awareness about the value of maintaining these languages for the preservation of cultural identity, heightened educational opportunities, and workforce readiness. We believe in the value of being bilingual, but we also believe in the value of preserving the culture, community, and identity that comes with maintaining one's heritage language, or obtaining a second language in general. By advocating for more bilingual educators, dual language programs, and community education, we hope to promote a more inclusive society for emerging bilingual students.
History
History
Heritage languages in the United States have a history of being discriminated against, so much so that people were often punished for speaking it, or practicing it in any form. Spanish is one of these heritage languages. The reason that the Spanish language has been lost by so many recent immigrants is that older generations were often physically punished—hit—for utilizing it in any way. Therefore, these generations grew up believing that it was wrong to speak this language, and it was correct to speak English, which led them to pass English on to their children, but not their heritage language of Spanish. Examples such as this are extremely common and prevalent in the linguistic history of the United States. However, in modern times, society is learning the value of not only heritage languages, but of being multilingual, and the assets and benefits that it can bring.
Dual Language Education in Texas
Dual Language Education in Texas
Texas has the second-highest number of dual language programs in the nation, with over 500 offered statewide. It keeps this rank for the amount of Spanish speakers in the United States. Therefore, this topic area is extremely relevant when looking into the scope specifically within Texas. Furthermore, with such a high amount of the population speaking Spanish at home (roughly 30%), it becomes critical that students are truly given the opportunity to sustain these skills (and those from other heritage languages) as they grow academically.
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