ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the educational and linguistic aspects of programs that may facilitate the maintenance and development of heritage languages from kindergarten through grade 12 in public and private schools in the United States. It deals with a brief overview of program types that may serve the purpose of maintaining and developing heritage languages in contemporary schools and focuses on dual language programs, in particular, two-way immersion education. The chapter also discusses the approach, some ongoing research, and some issues that remain in need of attention. In designing school-based programs, important factors to consider include the vitality of the heritage language in the home and local community and the language proficiency profile of the students in both English and the heritage language. School-based programs may need to be geared towards English-speaking students looking to reclaim their heritage language, or towards heritage-language-speaking students looking to learn English and develop their home language as well.
