Languages, Cultures and Schools

Offers the most comprehensive national study of community and heritage language schools.

Community/heritage language schools exist across the world, and yet little is known of the languages they teach, how they are organised and what students learn. Teachers in mainstream schools are generally unaware of the language and cultural knowledge their students are gaining from these schools. This book provides an overview of this educational sector and crucially how it interacts with mainstream education.

Students of all ages describe what they think of the schools, how language learning impacts on their senses of self and their attitudes to their cultures and languages, and the role of their languages in everyday life. Teachers share their experiences, perceptions and practices. Parents and grandparents report the importance of community/heritage language schools for families, communities and broader society.

The book offers both an in-depth study of this type of education in New South Wales, Australia, and insights that will be of use in language education across the world.