My eight-year-old son started attending the Bulgarian school less than a month ago. In all honesty, I’ve never expected to enrol him. We’ve set a communicative goal for his language proficiency in Bulgarian. I would’ve been happy for both him and my daughter, who are 4 years apart, to be able to hold a simple conversation in Bulgarian. It is their weaker home language. That would’ve been enough, given the fact that we only have (had!) a very small community of Bulgarian speakers. Why you might wonder. After all, I always advise parents and caregivers to make sure they connect to their respective home-language community and seize every opportunity for connections and exchanges as it is a fantastic way to provide additional exposure to the language. Well, I haven’t always followed my own advice. So, here, I have now officially confessed. This hasn’t been due to a lack of opportunities or the effort involved. In fact, opportunities tend to emerge when we actively seek them and are open to embracing them. The truth is that I have my own resistance to thank for that. I simply wasn’t ready to open up—until now.
I left my home country, Bulgaria, to move to Germany nearly 24 years ago at the age of 18 for a variety of reasons. While I won’t delve into these reasons right now (all of them undoubtedly valid and important when it comes to heritage language education and the connection one builds with their home-language community) – saving that for a future post – it’s important to note that upon arriving in Germany, I felt compelled to integrate into society as seamlessly as possible. It was more about necessity than preference at the time and I unconsciously believed that distancing myself from my Bulgarian community would facilitate better integration. I was desperate to make it and I unconsciously believed I had no other choice. This mindset gradually became a habit and by the time my son was born almost nine years ago, reconnecting with my heritage (or at least trying to) didn’t even cross my mind. My beliefs and habits took over; they dominated my decisions. That could’ve also been the reason why I settled for a basic communicative goal for my children’s Bulgarian language skills, thinking it was sufficient under our circumstances. This decision, I have now come to realise, was shaped more by my past actions, beliefs and habits and less by the actual needs or opportunities before us.
We’ve always engaged with Bulgarian culture at home, reading books and singing songs in Bulgarian, but I never truly believed my son would develop a deeper interest in the language. Until last summer when we went to Canada to visit my in-laws. He expressed feeling more comfortable there than in Bulgaria. Why, was my question? Simply because he could read everything in English, unlike in Bulgarian. This one statement was a huge wake-up call for me. The revelation was such a profound epiphany that shook me to my core – a true catharsis for my soul. And truly, I am not exaggerating in the slightest. It prompted me to do a thorough reevaluation of my beliefs and lead to a complete transformation in my approach. I did a full 360-degree turn and I couldn’t be happier about it. It was the catalyst that made me seek the connections I hadn’t realised I missed until that moment. This realisation struck me powerfully and was a more than welcome shift in my perspective.
Throughout my journey of living abroad, in addition to immersing myself in various languages for more years than I care to admit, I have become painfully aware of the gradual erosion of my native language and the profound impact it‘s had on my sense of identity and belonging. Or perhaps it was my changing identity that influenced my connection to my language? One way or another, if you think that heritage language education is solely for the benefit of children, prepare to reconsider. In fact, let me demonstrate how engaging with our home languages can enrich not only our children’s linguistic and cultural horizons and experiences but also our own as parents/caregivers. The transformative power of heritage language education extends far beyond its obviously conventional role, touching deep emotional and cultural threads within us as well.
Here are five essential benefits of heritage language education for you as a parent/caregiver:
1.Refreshing and updating language skills
Yes, your home language skills can and will erode over time without regular use and conscious efforts to maintain it. As your command of the subtle nuances of your native language diminishes, engaging in heritage language education with your child provides a valuable opportunity to offset that development. By helping and learning alongside your child, you can, for example, refresh forgotten vocabulary and grammar. Additionally, this process allows you to update and refine your understanding of the language, offering a fresh perspective as you view it through the eyes of your child.
2. Ongoing personal language practice
The critical importance of both high-quality and -quantity of language input for effective language acquisition and learning is one of the main topics in our work with families and practitioners. Well, this is not much different. Parents/Caregivers also need continuous language practice to maintain fluency and proficiency. Living abroad often limits the opportunity to immerse yourself in your native language, especially while being surrounded by other languages, which underscores the need for intentional and deliberate efforts to maintain your home language. Therefore, engaging in heritage language education with your child not only provides you with a regular practice routine, but also helps sharpen your own language skills. Such consistent practice presents a wonderful opportunity and a valuable tool to counter the gradual decline in language abilities that often accompanies extended periods away from your native linguistic environment.
3. Mutual learning and shared motivation
Another perk of home language education for you as a parent/caregiver is the mutual motivation and learning that occur when you actively participate in your child’s educational journey. Your involvement provides a substantial boost of enthusiasm and helps establish a supportive learning environment. It not only makes the learning process more enjoyable but also shows your child that you value the heritage language. Perhaps more importantly, it demonstrates that language learning is a dynamic journey characterised by ups and downs – you are the living example that, yes, you grew up speaking that language but, because of a variety of factors, your skills have eroded along the way. It’s perfectly normal to experience fluctuations in language proficiency and that’s ok! This shared experience can significantly heighten their interest and dedication to learning.
4. Setting realistic expectations
Talk, talk, talk to your child – frequent and open conversations are absolutely crucial here. Address the challenges of learning and maintaining a heritage language, particularly when it differs from the community’s dominant language. Discuss why it is incremental to sustain it nevertheless. Discuss why it is worth the effort. Speak honestly and from the heart about why the language is important to you specifically. While it’s important not to set overly ambitious goals or apply too much pressure, learning alongside your child allows you to become more attuned to the nuances of their language journey; of what it takes to be on this journey. This insight into their experiences will help you develop more empathetic and effective strategies for support. By understanding your child’s pace and the challenges they face, you can set realistic expectations and goals, thus minimising potential frustrations for both of you.
5. Cultural reconnection and identity reinforcement
Heritage language education is by no means just about maintaining linguistic skills; it’s also a vital link to one’s cultural identity and heritage. It can be a fantastic way to reconnect with your own cultural roots, often leading to rekindling pride and a deeper sense of identity. This is what I am going through at the moment myself and I have to admit that is not necessarily an easy road, especially after having been disconnected from a community for many years, but it is definitely one that is worth the effort. This reconnection can enhance self-esteem and provide a stronger foundation for imparting cultural values and traditions to your child, fostering a richer, shared family identity.
Bonus: A fantastic bonding experience
And here lies the ultimate added goodness that outshines all of the above points – the opportunity for a genuine bonding experience. Your child’s well-being and your relationship with them surpasses any academic and/or linguistic objectives. These are the true foundations for their learning success and finding meaningful ways to connect with your child and topics to bond over, should be a priority. Heritage language education offers a unique and invaluable opportunity to do just that. This shared learning experience can become a cherished part of daily life, transforming language from a mere tool for communication into a bridge that connects past, present and future experiences. It allows you to create a world with your own puzzle pieces, tailored to your family’s unique dynamics and needs. And, as you introduce your child to their cultural roots through language, you will inadvertently find yourself revisiting your own childhood memories, re-experiencing your cultural practices and, perhaps, understanding them in new ways, allowing you to reshape them to better fit your own family puzzle; your own family life’s narrative.
So, if you are still on the fence about heritage language education, I encourage you to take the leap. It’s not merely educational—it deeply enriches your family’s emotional and relational dynamics, fostering a strong, interconnected family unit bonded by a shared linguistic and cultural heritage. Yes, it does require additional effort, but the rewards are undeniably worth it. And we need to part with the idea that heritage language education is just for the children. It’s a misconception that you just sign them up, drop them off and that’s all there is to it. Not even close – it is as beneficial for your child as it is for you. I had to overcome my own challenges first because I was so out of touch with my own culture and have spent years consciously distancing myself from it. But after coming full circle, I can attest that the rewards are truly remarkable.
I’m eager to hear about your experiences with heritage language education. Have you found it to be just as beneficial for you as a parent/guardian as well?
Image by Bruno Nascimento on unsplash.com
