About

Heritage Language
Global Think Tank

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What is the Heritage Language Global Think Tank?

It is a group of passionate professionals from across the world involved in heritage language education, who come together regularly to generate ideas about how to improve the recognition, visibility, vitality, quality, and sustainability of Community-Based Heritage Language (CBHL) educational programs worldwide. CBHL programs maintain and teach students a home language, also referred to as "mother tongue" or "community language," that is often not taught in public schools or spoken by mainstream society.

For a detailed description, see (ISSN 2657-9774) Educational Role of Language Journal. Volume 2025-1(13). ACTIONS IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION, pp. 141-145.

Why do we need a Heritage Language Global Think Tank?

Anyone involved in heritage language education knows that there is a lot of work to be done! How can we improve the vitality of community-based heritage language programs and connect them with mainstream education? How can we support the managers and teachers of heritage language programs, who face so many challenges? What are the most effective strategies used by heritage language coalition leaders? How can we motivate students and their families to continue to use the language and develop proficiency in it? How can we get students the recognition they deserve for the work they put into gaining proficiency in their heritage language? Importantly, how can we help protect students’ universal right to study their heritage language?

What makes it “Global”?

What is unique about the Heritage Language Global Think Tank is that the ideas that develop go beyond the local context, with the potential to have broader impact. By sharing and comparing efforts being made in different regions of the world, we can identify activities that could be effective on a global scale. In some instances, it could be possible to streamline efforts that are taking place in parallel on different sides of the globe.

At the core of the work of the participants in the Think Tank is the ambition to ensure that multilingual students receive a high quality of language education that provides them with self-confidence, a strong sense of identity, intercultural competence, and lifelong skills that will benefit them in our increasingly globalized society.

What is the goal of the Think Tank?

The goal of the Think Tank is to connect experts and spark ideas. If any participants are enthusiastic about pursuing a particular proposal, they can collaborate and make it a reality. The aim is additionally to build an international network and to create a space not only for discussion, but also for encouragement.

What kinds of ideas and activities emerge from the Think Tank?

Activities that have been suggested as a result of Think Tank discussions include research, lobbying, public outreach, provision of professional development training and materials, and connections with public and private schools and universities. A few examples of “products” of the Think Tank are the 9 Myths about Heritage Language Education infographic and the International Guidelines to Professional Practices in Community-Based Heritage Language Schools. (Technically, these publications preceded the Think Tank, but they involve Think Tank participants and led to the formation of the Think Tank!)

9 Myths

An infographic that debunks the most common misconceptions surrounding HL education

Guidelines

Universal principles and good practices that will help guide HL programs, worldwide!

The new "Review Rubric": A simple yet powerful tool for strengthening heritage language programs worldwide

A new "Review Rubric" has been published for heritage language (HL) programs worldwide, designed to help managers, teachers, and administrators reflect on their organization’s practices and spark discussion on improvement strategies.

Heritage languages know no borders!

During a recent visit to Washington, D.C., HLE Network’s Managing Director had the pleasure of meeting up with Ana Lucia Lico of ABRACE (Associação Brasileira de Cultura e Educação) and the U.S. Coalition for Community-Based Heritage Language Schools.

Keeping the Global Call alive – advocacy tools available in more languages!

Download the checklist in your preferred language and share it with mainstream schools, policymakers, and businesses!

Global Call to Action for Heritage Language Education: explained in 3 minutes

Watch to learn how you can contribute and help improve circumstances for heritage language educators worldwide!

Who participates in the Think Tank?

The group includes experts on the topic of heritage language education coming from a variety of linguistic and professional backgrounds, including academia, advocacy, activism, coalition leadership, assessment testing, grassroots organizations, and school boards. Participation in the Think Tank is on a volunteer basis.

Continent	Participant	Affiliation	Country	State/Province	City

Australia	Ken Cruickshank	Sydney School of Education and Social Work; Sydney Institute for Community Language Education (SICLE), University of Sydney	Australia	New South Wales	Sydney
Australia	Merryl Wahlin	Sydney Institute for Community Languages Education (SICLE), University of Sydney	Australia	New South Wales	Sydney
Europe	Azra Hodžić-Kadić	Sprachenzentrum (Language Center) University of Vienna and The Institute of Slavonic Languages and Caucasus Studies at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena	Austria		Vienna
Europe	Dina Smith	Healthy Linguistic Diet; Languages of Yugoslavia	England		London
Europe	Effrosyni (Froso) Argyri	University College London	England		London
Europe	Gisi Cannizzaro	HLE Network	Netherlands	North Brabant	Eindhoven
Europe	Irina Piippo	University of Helsinki	Finland		Helsinki
Europe	Isabelle Barth	Fédération FLAM Monde; FOHLC Europe	France
Europe	Jana Nahodilová	Czech and Slovak School Okenko, London; FOHLC Europe	England		London
Europe	Jessika Rabello	FOHC Europe; Westminster University	England		London
Europe	Jim Anderson	Home, Heritage, Community Languages Advisory Group; Goldsmiths, University of London	England		London
Europe	Jonathan Hancock	Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh	Scotland		Edinburgh
Europe	Marie Boccou Kestřánková	Charles University, Faculty of Arts, Institute of Czech and Deaf Studies	Czech Republic		Prague
Europe	Miglena Hristozova	Initiative for Multilingualism and Intercultural Education (IMIB) (Deputy Representative)	Germany	Baden-Wurttemberg	Freiburg
Europe	Renata Emilsson Peskova	Móðurmál - Association on Bilingualism & University of Iceland; FOHLC Europe	Iceland		Reykjavik
Europe	Sabine Little	Home Heritage and Community Languages Advisory Group; HLE Network Advisory Council; UK Literacy Association: Literacy and Multilingualism Special Interest Group; European Educational Research Association: Language and Education Network	England		Sheffield
Europe	Vally Lytra	Goldsmiths University of London/ D.EL.EXO Teaching of Greek Worldwide international SIG	England/Switzerland		London/Lausanne
Europe	Vicky Gough	British Council; Home Heritage and Community Languages Advisory Group	England
Europe	Yongcan Liu	University of Cambridge	England		Cambridge
North America	Ana Lucia Lico	Coalition of Community-Based Heritage Language Schools; Brazilian Association for Culture and Education (ABRACE)	U.S.	Virginia
North America	Constantine Ioannou	International Language Educators Association (ILEA)	Canada	Ontario
North America	David Bong	Avant Assessment (Director)	U.S.
North America	Joy Peyton	Coalition of Community-Based Heritage Language Schools	U.S.	Virginia
North America	Julia Sylla	Qatar Foundation International (QFI)	U.S.
North America	Linda Egnatz	Global Seal of Biliteracy; JNCL/NCLIS	U.S.
North America	Marta McCabe	Coalition of Community-Based Heritage Language Schools; Czech and Slovak School of North Carolina; Duke University Graduate School	U.S.	North Carolina
North America	Masako Douglas	Coalition of Community-Based Heritage Language Schools, California State University Long Beach – Japanese	U.S.	California	Los Angeles
North America	Nick Gossettnick	Avant Assessment	U.S.	Oregon
North America	Nina Paulovicova	Athabasca University	Canada	Alberta	Edmonton
North America	Nooshan Ashtari	University of Southern California – Farsi/Persian	U.S.	California	Los Angeles
North America	Olenka Bilash	University of Alberta	Canada	Alberta	Edmonton
North America	Renate Ludanyi	Coalition of Community-Based Heritage Language Schools; German School of Connecticut; German Language School Conference; Western Connecticut State University	U.S.	Connecticut
North America	Sigrid Belluz	Coalition of Community-Based Heritage Language Schools; Deutsche Schule Charlotte (German Language School Charlotte, North Carolina); German Language School Conference	U.S.
North America	Tommy Lu	Coalition of Community-Based Heritage Language Schools; Chinese School of Delaware	U.S.	Delaware

Publications

Summary of Discussion - Tensions and Partnerships Between Community and Public Schools - 2024-03-25

In the discussion on the topic “Tensions and Partnerships Between Community Schools and Mainstream Schools,”, a wealth of both positive and negative information was shared, varying by country and region. To convey this information as authentically as possible and to capture the voices of the participants, the recordings were transcribed and summarized. Please note that this documentation reflects the information from various countries and regions as of the time of the meeting, and this information is subject to change over time. The names of the speakers have been retained to deliver the voices of the participants.
Download

Aberdeen, T., Cannizzaro, G., Douglas, M., Emilsson Peskova, R., Lu, T., Ludanyi, R., McCabe, M., Paulovicova, N., Peyton, J. K., & Sobrevía, S. (2021). International Guidelines for Professional Practices in Community-Based Heritage Language Schools. https://www.heritagelanguageschools.org/coalition/article/249073

Aberdeen, T., Cannizzaro, G., Douglas, M., Emilsson Peskova, R., Lu, T., Ludanyi, R., McCabe, M., Paulovicova, N., Peyton, J.K., & Sobrevía, S. (2025). International Guidelines for Professional Practices in Community-Based Heritage Language Schools: Review Rubric. https://ucla.app.box.com/s/6caa82ijprqjifw9f8f5aj0ego64ozd7

Anderson, J., Argyri, E., Ashtari, N., Cannizzaro, G., Egnatz, L., Emilsson Peskova, R., Hristozova, M., Little, S., Mehmedbegovic-Smith, D., Nahodilova, J., Paulovicova, N., & Wahlin, M. (2024). Global Call to Action for Heritage Language Education. Heritage Language Global Think Tank. https://menntavisindastofnun.hi.is/is/global-call-hle

Cannizzaro, G. (November 16, 2024). Global Call to Action for Heritage Language Education. A presentation at 2024 FOHLC Europe conference (online). https://www.hlenet.org/events/fohlc2024

Emilsson Peskova, R. (18 February, 2023). International Guidelines for Professional Practices in Community-Based Heritage Language Schools: An example of their use in Iceland. Poster presentation at AATSEEL 2023 Conference, 16.-19. 2. 2023, virtual conference. https://www.aatseel.org/program/2023-conference-program-embed/

Emilsson Peskova, R. (March, 2022). Mezinárodní doporučení pro profesionální práci v komunitních školách mateřských jazyků [International guidelines for professional practices in community-based heritage language schools]. Newsletter of Czech Schools without Borders. https://csbh.cz/novinky/mezinarodni-doporuceni-pro-profesionalni-praci-v-komunitnich-skolach-materskych-jazyku/ & https://csbh.cz/co-delame/newsletter/

Emilsson Peskova, R., & Cannizzaro, G. (October 8, 2022). International Guidelines for Professional Practices in Community-Based Heritage Language Schools. Conference of the US Coalition of Community-based Heritage Language Schools, 7-8 October, 2022, Washington, D.C., the USA [online participation]. https://www.american.edu/soe/iie/heritage-language-conference-2022-program.cfm

Emilsson Peskova, R., Peyton, J. K., Cannizzaro, G., & Boccou Kestřánková, M. (2025). The heritage language global think tank: Collaboration across countries. Educational Role of Language Journal, 2025-1(13, Actions in Language Education), 141–145. https://doi.org/10.36534/erlj.2025.01.18

HLE Network. (2024). Global Call to Action for Heritage Language Education: explained in 3 minutes. https://www.hlenet.org/post/2024-gcta-3min

Peyton, J. K., Douglas, M., Emilsson Peskova, R., Cannizzaro, G., & McCabe, M. (February, 2022). International Guidelines for Professional Practices in Community-Based Heritage Language Schools. Czech Language News, 56–57(1-2), 62–66.

Peyton, J., & McCabe, M. (November 12, 2021). International Guidelines for Professional Practices in Community-Based Heritage Language Schools. https://www.hlenet.org/fohlce2021

Peyton, J. K. (March 26, 2025). Community-based Heritage Language Schools: The Global Heritage Language Education Sector. Presentation at 1st International D.EL.EXO. Conference. Advancing Greek Language and culture education worldwide: new developments and emerging issues. https://delexo.greeklanguage.gr/index.php/en/news-2/52-1%CB%A2%E1%B5%97-international-d-el-exo-conference-advancing-greek-language-and-culture-education-worldwide-new-developments-and-emerging-issues

Heritage Language Global Think Tank