Which heritage languages do you teach?
Persian

What is the difference between heritage language education and regular language classes?
The difference between heritage language education and regular language classes lies in their target. Heritage language education classes are for students who have a cultural or familial connection to the language. These students grow up hearing or speaking the language at home. The heritage language classes help students improve their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills and focus on keeping the culture alive and work on grammar and vocabulary that they might not have learned at home. The most materials used are related to the student’s culture and students often have a stronger connection to their language and culture.
 In regular language classes the students might have no experience with the language and are learning it from the beginning, starting with very basic words and sentences. Here the students come from different backgrounds and learn the language as a new subject.

What does a heritage language lesson look like? 
I can give an example of what one of my lessons looks like. I use thematic teaching with my high school students. Together, we select a theme and collaboratively plan how the work will be conducted and its duration. The students take an active role in deciding how to present their work. They can choose between an oral presentation or a power point.  After each presentation we reflect together by asking questions and writing a few sentences about the presentations. Teaching student groups with varying language skills is not always easy. That is why I believe working with an interesting theme is an effective lesson.

How does the project influence your work as a HL teacher so far?
I am very proud of my work as a mother tongue* teacher, especially when I see that interest in mother tongue* education is growing in other European countries. It is truly inspiring to be part of a project that helps raise awareness of the importance of the mother tongue*, not just in Sweden.

What motivated you to teach HL?
By teaching in my native language, I feel closer to my roots. My native language is a part of my identity, and it is close to my heart.
*mother tongue = heritage language