Community-Based Heritage
Language Schools:
Promoting Collaboration
among Educators, Families,
and Researchers
9/18/2015
Lessons Learned from
Establishing Programs
and Building
Collaborations
Marta McCabe
Durham Technical Community College
Czech and Slovak School of NC
Mana Kharrazi
Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB)
Establishing Programs
Mainly ESTABLISHED PROGRAMS are gathered at this conference à
à questions of curriculum, learning materials, assessment, etc.
However…
à Today is the time of increased immigration & new destinations
à Many immigrant communities wish for an HL school
à Many communities struggle to establish an HL program
à HOW CAN WE HELP START a NEW PROGRAM?
An example:
CZECH and SLOVAK School
of North Carolina
Czech R.
Slovakia
- 1918
- 1989
-
1993
West Slavic
Languages
Czech & Slovak HL Programs
a…...
15 Czech
1 Slovak
9 joint
= 25 TOTAL
Source: http://www.hoovercolor.com/siteimages/usa-map.gif
The journey of…
§
Excitement for the project! (2011/2012)
§
Learn about and reach the community!
§
Ø
Dissertation (2012-2014)
Ø
Survey (Fall 2014)
Ø
Triangle Area Meetup group
Seek dedicated, experienced, and resourceful colleagues!
ü
Public Elementary School Principal
ü
Professor of Linguistics (research: Czech language maintenance)
ü
Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic
ü
Community organizer (Meetup)
The journey of…
§
§
Seek advice from other programs
Ø
E-mails, Skype & phone calls
Ø
Personal visits
Assess your resources
Ø
§
Know-how, logistics, funding, personnel…
Consider possible options for your program
Ø
New organization (non-profit, LLC…?)
Ø
Within an existing cultural organization
The journey of…
§
Keep the community INFORMED
...and engaged!
§
§
Seek and gather additional resources
ü
Board of directors and volunteers (web/FB, accounting, PR…)
ü
Teachers (lack of qualified staff)
ü
Suitable space for classrooms – affordability!
ü
Funding (tuition, donors, HL countries, businesses, organizations)
ü
Collaboration across programs
ü
Publicity
Do it!
à Open House & First lesson!
L) ..
a….
BUILDING COLLABORATIONS
MANA KHARRAZI
IRANIAN ALLIANCES ACROSS BORDERS
www.iranianalliances.org
Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB) is a 501
(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that aims
to strengthen the Iranian diaspora community and
empower its youth.
In particular, IAAB strives to strengthen the Iranian diaspora community
through leadership and educational programming that encourages
collaboration and solidarity across various borders and multiple
communities.
www.iranianalliances.org
IAAB Programs
International Conference on the Iranian Diaspora
Camp Ayandeh – high school students
Student Summit – university students
Camp Javan – middle school students
Persian Language Educators’ Symposium
Family and Student Focused Initiatives
www.iranianalliances.org
The Persian School Landscape
-Young Diaspora Community
-Divisions:
-Generational, Religious, Philosophical
-Professional versus Mom & Pop
-Pedagogical Approach
-Age Range of Students
-Standardized Textbooks and Materials
-Physical Space and Resources
-Emphasis on Verbal Fluency versus Reading Comprehension
-Few engage in StarTalk and other Language Programs
www.iranianalliances.org
Persian Heritage Language
School Challenges
-Lack of:
-Family Engagement
-Resources and Support for Schools
-Educators Engaged in Schools
-Community’s Relationship with Iran
-Political and Religious Divisions
-Summers Abroad
-Recruitment and Retention
-Textbooks and Materials
www.iranianalliances.org
Persian Language Educators’ Symposium
Model: IAAB organizes bi-annual Symposium in partnership with steering committee
comprised of directors of successful and diverse school models.
The Symposium is a weekend program focusing on content-focused speakers, skill-based
workshops, and networking.
Featured speakers and workshop topics vary based on findings from survey of schools.
Past Workshop Topics:
-Teacher Training
-Recruitment and Retention
-Youth Engagement
-Nuts & Bolts of Building a School
Past Speaker Topics:
-Heritage Language Successes and Models
-Persian Heritage Language Experts
-Heritage Language Alum and Students
www.iranianalliances.org
Symposium Topics
-Community School Models and Best Practices
-Persian Schools
-Other Diaspora Communities/Heritage Languages
-Pedagogy and Curriculum
-Teacher Training and Classroom Management
-Finance & Budgeting, Fundraising, Marketing
-Role of Innovative Tools including Social Media and Technology
-Recruitment and Retention
-Youth Leadership Engagement
-Parent Engagement & Alumni Association
-Role in Community and Community Engagement
-Accreditation and Academic Credit
www.iranianalliances.org
Symposium Outcomes
-Accurate Knowledge of Persian Heritage Language Landscape
-Successes and Models
-Needs and Challenges
-Opportunities for Growth
-Network of Persian Language Schools and Educators
-Sharing of Best Practices, Curriculum, Resources
-Support in Building New Programs
www.iranianalliances.org
Future of the Symposium
-Formal Network and Association of Persian Schools
-National Database of Persian Schools
-Internal Portal for Persian Schools
-School Profiles
-Lesson Plans
-Best Practices
-Events and Announcements
-Resources for New Schools
www.iranianalliances.org
GROUP DISCUSSION
Discuss best practices and major needs related to:
Establishing New Programs (or expanding existing programs)
and Building Collaborations of all kinds!
List the practices and resources:
1) Your program has successfully used and is willing to share
2) Your program seeks to establish and develop
Prepare a visual representation of your findings to share
(use the the flip charts and markers)
GROUP DISCUSSION
Form groups based on the type of program you represent:
u  Large
u  Small
HL programs
(1 group)
HL programs
(1 group)
u  Well-established
u  Emerging
HL programs
HL programs
u  Public/Private
schools
(1 group)
(1group)
(3 groups)
u  Universities
(2 groups)
u  Organizations
(1 group)
Discuss Potential for Collaboration
…to improve existing programs & to establish new programs
-
Parents and students (and to foster collaboration among parents)
-
Other HL schools of the same language background
-
U.S.-based nonprofits focusing on HLs (NHLRC, CAL)
-
Heritage country à government
-
Heritage country à public sector (nonprofits, public schools, universities)
-
U.S.-based heritage/cultural organizations
-
Local ethnic (or non-ethnic) businesses
-
Local U.S. public schools
-
U.S. universities (Language or Area Studies programs)
-
Other?