HERITAGE LANGUAGES AND SOCIAL COHESION

Trois trompettistes by Raymond Verdaguer
http://www.rverdaguer.com

Presentation

The French Heritage Language Program is proud to host its first conference to date, co-organized in partnership with The Cultural Services of The French Embassy, The National Heritage Language Resource Center, Le Lycée Français de New York and The Center for Applied Linguistics.

Gathering renowned research specialists in the fields of bilingual education and Heritage Languages, lending a voice to important actors on the ground from diverse francophone communities, and presenting various educational initiatives currently in place in France and the United States, this conference will examine the richness and diversity of heritage language education and the role of languages and cultures in promoting social cohesion, at school and beyond.

This event is very much about advocacy, demonstrating how multiple disciplines can collaborate, notably through local educational initiatives. Live streaming, recordings, and transcripts of the conference will be available on our website.

The program [pdf]
The participants [pdf]

Admission is free, please register online

A Conference Sponsored By:

The Cultural Services of The French Embassy
http://www.frenchculture.org/
The Center for Applied Linguistics
http://www.cal.org/
The Alliance for the Advancement of Heritage Languages in America
http://www.cal.org/heritage/
The National Heritage Language Resource Center
http://nhlrc.ucla.edu/
Le Lycée Français de New York
http://www.lfny.org/
Fonds d'Alembert Institut Français
http://www.institutfrancais.com/
The Alfred and Jane Ross Foundation

Conference Program

All Day Event

Lycée Français de New York auditorium
505 East 75th Street
New York, NY 10021

9.00
Introduction (live streamed)
Sean Lynch, Principal of the Lycée Français de New York

9.15
Welcome Address (live streamed)
Antonin Baudry, Cultural Counselor, Cultural Services of the French Embassy

9:30 - 10:00
Keynote: (not live streamed)

Marcello M. Suárez-Orozco (The Courtney Sale Ross University Professor of Globalization and Education, New York University)

10:00 - 11:30
Panel 1: Heritage Language Research and Social Cohesion (live streamed)

“A central question for research today: how does heritage languages teaching and learning help us to understand and answer issues of social cohesion?”

Panelists: Marie-Michelle Monéreau-Merry and Olga Kagan (National Heritage Language Resource Center, University of California, Los Angeles), Joy Kreeft Peyton (Center for Applied Linguistics, Washington DC), Christine Hélot (University of Strasbourg, France), Ana Roca (Florida International University)

Moderator: Jane Ross (President of the French Heritage Language Program)

11:45 - 13:15
Panel 2: Communities, Heritage Cultures, and Integration (live streamed)

“Actors on the ground representing diverse francophone communities speak about the realities of their heritage in an American context”

Panelists: Asnath Fleuriot (Haitian Americans in Action), Joseph Dunn (Council for the Development of French in Louisiana) , Julia Schulz (Franco-Americans, Maine), Assetou Sy (Malian Cultural Center), Janie Luster (The United Houma Nation, Louisiana).

Moderator: David Lasserre (Consultant, Haitian Ministry of Education)

14:00 - 15:30
Panel 3: Educational Initiatives involving Heritage Languages and Cultures (live streamed)

“Discussing some local Heritage initiatives currently in place in France and the United States”

Panelists : Magali Ravel (Centre Académique pour la Scolarisation des Nouveaux Arrivants et Enfants du Voyage, Académie of Paris), Benoît Le Dévédec (French Heritage Language Program), Carole Bergin (Harvard University), Catherine Poisson (Education Française à New York), Dariana Castro (Internationals Network for Public Schools).

Moderator: Fabrice Jaumont (Education Attaché, Cultural Services of the French Embassy)

15:45 - 16:00 Introduction by film makers (live streamed)

16:00 - Film Documentary Raconte-moi ta langue (not live streamed but available today for free here)
Introduced by Mariette Féltin and Christine Hélot

17:00 - 17:45
Q&A

Note:
Language of the Conference : English
Free coffee, drinks and refreshments all day. Lunch will also be available at the Lycée
(cash payment only)

The program [pdf]
The participants [pdf]

Live Streaming + Live Comment

The panels will be broadcast live using the Ustream.tv platform technology, which also allows for live comments and questions from the audience. Come and join us!

You can watch the conference live on our website.

You can watch the conference on the following websites:
frenchculture.org
nhlrc.ucla.edu
newyorkinfrench.net

You can also broadcast the conference on your own blog or website by copying the conference embed code available on our Ustream channel:
http://ustre.am/DLaW

Participate in pre-conference debate online on newyorkinfrench.net

For press-related questions, please call 212-439-1438/1408

Conference Co-Chairs / Contact

Benoît Le Dévédec
Program coordinator
T 212 439 1438 F 212 439 1455
E heritageprogram@facecouncil.org

Fabrice Jaumont
Education Attaché
Embassy of France
New York
E fabrice.jaumont@diplomatie.gouv.fr

Comment

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Guest Editor Comment by Benoit Le Devedec on October 28, 2011 at 7:14pm: Far from being an obstacle, cultural and linguistic differences can a be a strategic asset in fostering integration and social cohesion. Many examples around the world show us that not respecting these differences and hiding behind cultural and linguistic protectionism favor tensions and alienation. The teaching and learning of heritage languages is a good example of how education can play a major role in respecting diversity, fostering integration and enforcing social cohesion.

How does this topic apply to you? In what ways do your personal and professional experience, research, initiatives shed light to and help us understand this connection between heritage languages and social cohesion?

I invite everyone to comment on this and share his/her thoughts. Let the discussion begin!

Editor Comment by Fabrice Jaumont on October 28, 2011 at 7:12pm: To what extent does the richness and diversity of heritage language education play a role in promoting social cohesion, at school and beyond.

Share your thoughts in English or en Français.

Comment by Anis Harbaoui on October 12, 2011 at 9:24pm: c'est une journee interessante. cette conference serait une occasion pour consolider le respect du dialogue entre les cultures et les civilisations. en ma qualite de psycologue, ca me fait plaisir d' y assister.