Heritage language learners' experiences in Russian as a foreign language courses

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarita Bondareva
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Heritage Language ◽  
Heritage Language Learners ◽  
Language Courses ◽  
Foreign Language Courses

scholarly journals STRATEGIE UCZENIA SIĘ SŁOWNICTWA – OBCOKRAJOWCY VS. UŻYTKOWNICY JĘZYKA ODZIEDZICZONEGO

Neofilolog ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 95-108
Author(s):  
Anna Seretny
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Heritage Language ◽  
Institutional Setting ◽  
Heritage Language Learners ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies ◽  
Class Level ◽  
Polish Language

In an average Polish language intermediate class (level B1/B2) there are two types of learners; namely, heritage language learners (HLLs) and foreign language learners (FLLs). HLLs are of Polish origin and have gained partial knowledge of the language in a natural environment, unlike FLLs who have learnt Polish in a formal institutional setting and have no Polish roots whatsoever.Teachers of Polish as a foreign/second language claim (in anecdotal evidence), that HLLs speak more fluently, particularly when talking about everyday topics, and that their production sounds more native like, as it is more formulaic. HLLs are, however, perceived as poorer vocabulary learners than FLLs. The aim of the research described in this article was to find out if this phenomenon can be ascribed to the different number and/or type of vocabulary learning strategies used by learners from the two groups.

scholarly journals An Empirical Study to Determine Whether ADHD Disorder Affects the Process of Language Learning

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Adhd Group ◽  
Adult Language Learners ◽  
Language Courses ◽  
Foreign Language Courses

In previous studies, it seems that the classification of ADHD did not appear to interfere with learners’ performance in foreign language courses. In this empirical investigation, a group of 43 adult language learners diagnosed with ADHD were asked questions relating to their language learning process, in particular to the difficulties encountered when partaking language courses, as well as subjective opinions as to progress and success relating to the language learning and also what the participants felt could have assisted the learning to make it more effective, efficient and successful. A control group of 43 adult language learners who had not been diagnosed with ADHD were asked the same questions. The findings indicated some significant negativity from the ADHD group with regards to their progress and success with the language learning, as well as an extremely significant statistical difference between the ADHD group and the control group in relation to the difficulty concerning attention while learning. This finding concludes that in fact, language learners diagnosed with ADHD report their difficulty with attention and this would corroborate the attention deficit symptom inherent to this neurobehavioral disorder.

Hindi Heritage Language Learners’ Performance during OPIs: Characteristics and Pedagogical Implications

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-174
Author(s):  
Gabriela Nik. Ilieva
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Heritage Language ◽  
Heritage Language Learners ◽  
Oral Performance ◽  
New York University ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Oral Proficiency Interviews ◽  
High Level

The present paper examines the oral performance of Hindi language learners during practice Oral Proficiency Interviews (OPI) conducted during workshops hosted by New York University and sponsored by STARTALK. The most salient characteristics of the heritage language learners’ output are compared with the output of foreign language learners who are rated similarly at the Intermediate Mid or Intermediate High level on the ACTFL scale. The paper’s focus is on patterns of grammar and discourse strengths and deficiencies, as well as elaboration of topics and code-mixing in relation to students’ background. Pedagogical implications are discussed with reference to teaching strategies that address the differences in the language abilities of the heritage versus foreign language learners of Hindi.

University Spanish Heritage Language Coursework: Meeting the Needs of All Heritage Learners

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly M. Torres ◽  
Meagan Caridad Arrastia ◽  
Samantha Tackett
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Heritage Language ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Heritage Language Learners ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Heritage Learners ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
University Settings ◽  
The Impact

The structure and instruction of foreign language classrooms have changed to meet the needs of the growing number of Hispanic heritage language learners (HLLs) entering university settings. To understand the impact of these reforms, interviews were conducted with 11 HLLs about their experiences in Spanish classrooms designed for their unique learning needs. Although participants were divided in their beliefs of heritage coursework offered, all the students valued being within a community of shared life experiences.

“I Think That Sounds Right”

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-368
Author(s):  
Laura Walls
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Heritage Language ◽  
Second Language Learners ◽  
Collaborative Writing ◽  
Implicit Knowledge ◽  
Heritage Language Learners ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Language Courses ◽  
Spanish Classroom

Many studies have demonstrated the benefits of learner-learner interactions in the second language classroom; however, despite the growing number of heritage language learners (HLLs) that enroll in language courses, only recently have researchers begun to examine interactions among second language learners and HLLs. Still, HLL-HLL interactions go unexamined. The present study fills this gap in the literature by analyzing HLL-HLL interactions during collaborative writing activities in a Spanish classroom. Results indicate that learners resolve lexical, grammatical, and orthographic issues accurately in most cases. It also shows that learners rely heavily on their strengths in Spanish and thus, utilize their implicit knowledge of the language. Their intuition enables them to critically assess the appropriateness of certain words and structures according to their needs and intentions; however, it also means that they tend to not fully utilize the resources at their disposal. Pedagogical implications are discussed.

Computer Mediated Communication: Tools for Instructing Russian Heritage Language Learners

2008 ◽  
Vol Volume 6 (6.1 (Spring, 2008)) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Meskill ◽  
Natasha Anthony
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Heritage Language ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Russian Language ◽  
Heritage Language Learners ◽  
Heritage Learners ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Computer Mediated

The unique needs, goals, and constraints of heritage language learners in U.S. higher education and the multiple ways that they differ from those of second and foreign language (L2) learners have been well documented (Brisk, 2000; Chevalier, 2004; Grosjean, 1982; Kagan & Dillon, 2003). Each population uses its two languages in diverse ways, for differing purposes and with vastly dissimilar levels of proficiency. Shaping these distinctions are the contexts and purposes in which and for which learners are and/or become fluent. In the mother tongue, these contexts and purposes are most often interpersonal and involve home and family. By contrast, the contexts and purposes in which and for which a ‘school educated’ learner tends to master the foreign language are public and academic. This study examines Russian heritage learners in a U.S. university Russian language course and how computer mediated communication (CMC) was used to support their acquisition of academic literacy in the mother tongue. The CMC approaches reported can serve as models for accommodating heritage learners in post-secondary foreign language classes in ways that benefit all learners.

What does the analysis of C-test gaps tell us about the construct of a C-test? A comparison of foreign and heritage language learners’ performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-132
Author(s):  
Anastasia Drackert ◽  
Anna Timukova
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Heritage Language ◽  
Heritage Language Learners ◽  
Scoring Method ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Dichotomous Scoring ◽  
The Right

In view of the ubiquitous increase in the use of C-tests, which are almost unanimously believed to measure general language proficiency, this study investigates whether the aspects of language proficiency tapped into by the C-test format are the same when the test is taken by a learner population other than that of foreign language learners. Specifically, we conducted a differential functioning analysis and compared the types of mistakes that 113 foreign language learners of Russian made when completing C-test gaps, with the performance of 89 heritage language learners on the same C-test. The results showed that almost half of the C-test gaps are biased towards either learner group. In addition, the error analysis for a number of the biased items demonstrated that, although heritage language learners seem to have an advantage in reconstructing the meaning of C-test gaps, they fail to translate their recognition skills into producing the right form. Furthermore, the study reveals a possible sensitivity of the C-test construct to the traditionally used dichotomous scoring method. We conclude with a discussion that includes the implications of the results regarding the construct measured by the C-test and the possible consequences for its actual use.

GROWTH, FIXED, AND MIXED MINDSETS

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Nigel Mantou Lou ◽  
Kathryn Everhart Chaffee ◽  
Kimberly A. Noels
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Achievement Goals ◽  
Latent Profile Analysis ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Language Courses ◽  
Foreign Language Courses ◽  
Person Centered Approach

Abstract Language learners’ mindsets–their beliefs about whether language is a fixed aptitude that is immutable or a malleable capacity that can be developed–are associated with achievement goals, language-use anxiety, reappraisals of challenges, and persistence. This study integrates these mindset-related constructs to identify mindset-system profiles among foreign language learners. A latent profile analysis of 234 university students in foreign language courses revealed three distinct profiles. The fixed (21.8%) and growth (20.5%) profiles showed distinct and contrasting patterns of goals, reappraisals, anxiety, and persistence. However, most learners (57.7%) endorsed a mixed profile. Although mindsets alone did not predict grades, students in the growth profile were consistently most engaged and achieved the highest grades, suggesting that mindsets function as a system, in concert with related factors. This person-centered approach enhances our understanding of the complexity and functions of the mindset system, as well as the motivation of learners with mixed mindsets.

scholarly journals Arabic Should Not Be Cast As Heritage: Arabic Lives

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 18-25
Author(s):  
Nadia Selim
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Heritage Language ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Religious Affiliation ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Heritage Language Learners ◽  
Language Loss ◽  
Heritage Language Learner ◽  
Linguistic Proficiency

Language acquisition research often conceives of language learners in terms of linguistic proficiency and perhaps assigns them a position on a continuum with the native speaker at one end and the foreign language learner on the other. The heritage language learner falls somewhere between these two extremes and often shares a deep affiliation with the language that can be ethnically, historically, culturally or religiously driven or they may share a multifaceted affiliation with the language. Arabic heritage language learners typically include Arabs of any religious or non-religious affiliation and non-Arab Muslims. Research has considered various matters associated with Arabic heritage language learners that range from differences in their motivations to language maintenance within communities. However, research on Arabic has not really considered the implications of the term heritage itself. This paper will critically examine the term heritage language learner and argue that it is problematic due to the inherent implications of the word “heritage” which can contribute to the perpetuation of linguistic hegemony and result in language loss. Consequently, the paper recommends the use of alternative terms.

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