Implementing Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices for Immigrant-Origin Students

By Corinne Hébert

In this Educator Brief, we outline what research suggests are the promotive and protective functions of preserving heritage languages for children’s academic outcomes, cognitive development, and social-emotional well-being. We also consider how children’s use of and skills in the heritage language are vulnerable to loss. Lastly, we provide guidelines for steps educators and schools can take to work with families and communities to nurture children’s heritage language skills.

For media outreach about the brief, please contact: immigrationinitiative@harvard.edu