Herkunftssprachen im deutschen Schulsystem

The aim of instruction in a heritage language is to retain the first language of the learner with immigration background and fostering both, the heritage language as well as the language of instruction in the other country. Instruction in heritage languages has no established status in the German educational system and varies widely between the individual federal states. Approaches are not systematic and sometimes even contradictory. This article starts with the learning situation of heritage language speakers and moves on to the different didactic concepts, which sometimes depend on the various providers, with a focus on motivation of young learners in school contexts. Curricula and other factors determining the perspectives of heritage language instruction in Germany are also analysed. (Verlag, adapt).