Heritage language education (Herkunftssprachenunterricht (HSU))

*This page is also available in German / Turkish / Greek.* 

The heritage language education (in German: Herkunftssprachenunterricht (HSU)) has existed in Germany for many years. When the guest workers came to Germany with the beginning of the recruitment agreements in the 1950s until the recruitment stop in 1973, the “muttersprachliche Ergänzungsunterricht (MEU)” (mother tongue supplementation education) was organized for the foreign students at that time. The approved work permit and the residence permit of the guest workers were only temporary, therefore the children were ought to be prepared for the return to their home countries with the MEU, so that they could seamlessly go to school there.

Many decades have passed since then, and now the third and fourth generations of former guest workers live in Germany. Most of these people have a permanent residence permit in Germany or are EU citizens. The HSU isn’t limited only to this group. Nowadays people still come to Germany to live here, for example from countries that are in a war or from economically weaker countries. Their children go to the HSU as well. 

The native language education

 

Who?

Heritage language education is primarily aimed at children with a family background of migration, where another language is spoken in the household in addition to German.

What?

Until a few years ago, it was called "muttersprachlicher Unterricht"; nowadays, "herkunftssprachlicher Unterricht" (HSU) is officially used. The focus of heritage language education is primarily on basic language acquisition and practice, partly also in the subject area of school. Furthermore, the acquisition of written language is also targeted (but often only in advanced classes).

How?

Heritage language education takes place in 3 forms in Germany.

  • School-based heritage language education (organized by the federal state)

  • Consular lessons (organized by the respective consulate)

  • Private lessons (for a fee or sometimes free of charge organized by clubs/groups)

Often school-based heritage language education are afternoon or supplemental lessons but may also be partially incorporated into the class schedule.

Where?

Not all states have all forms of heritage language education either. Private lessons can be found almost everywhere. Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, for example, offer only consular instruction from official sources. Many of the eastern states have only school-based heritage language education.

In NRW, heritage language education is currently probably the most developed and is offered in 29 languages (in total, not statewide).

Why?

Earlier (from around the 1960s) heritage language education was introduced with the idea of making the return of guest workers and their children easier. 

Section 2, paragraph 10 of the School Act*

Currently, the Ministry of Education of North Rhine-Westphalia justifies heritage language education in this way:

"The school shall promote the integration of pupils whose mother tongue is not German by offering them opportunities to acquire the German language. In doing so, it respects and promotes the ethnic, cultural and linguistic identity (mother tongue) of these pupils." *These are not official translations and cannot be used as a basis for legal action.

Section 10, paragraph 1 of the Participation and Integration Act*

Currently, the Ministry of Education of North Rhine-Westphalia justifies heritage language education in this way:

"The state recognizes multilingualism as an important potential for the cultural, scientific and economic development of North Rhine-Westphalia and for the promotion of equal-opportunity participation in education within the spirit of this Act." *These are not official translations and cannot be used as a basis for legal action.