Learning a heritage language with native children’s textbooks?

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Are you an adult heritage speaker navigating the murky waters of language learning? You’re not alone! Many find themselves at an upper-intermediate level, with strong listening and reading skills but production gaps that leave them feeling adrift. Traditional foreign language textbooks often miss the mark, focusing on vocabulary and grammar that may seem irrelevant or too basic for your needs. Enter native children’s textbooks: a potential treasure trove! They offer a unique approach to language acquisition, designed for the very speakers who are often overlooked. But the question remains: do these resources truly aid in self-study, or are they best utilized with guidance? If you’ve ventured into this territory, your insights could illuminate the path for others. Share your experiences and anecdotes as we explore the effectiveness of these native materials for adult heritage learners!

I am an adult heritage speaker, and in terms of strictly foreign-language learning, my level in my heritage language is probably upper intermediate overall. My listening and reading comprehension are much better than my production.

Unfortunately, my gaps in knowledge don't seem to match up very well with learning progressions of textbooks aimed at foreign language learners. In a given unit or chapter, with some vocabulary or grammar I'm like, do they even need to teach this? And in that same unit or chapter, I will also encounter new concepts or at least concepts I'm not completely comfortable with.

I was thinking of using native children's textbooks to try and fill some gaps in my knowledge. Does anyone have any learning of teaching experience with using native children's textbooks for heritage speakers? Do these textbooks work at all for self-study, or are they only useful with some sort of guidance?

This is something that I plan on trying out regardless, but if anyone has experience or related anecdotes, I'd love to hear it.

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#language evolution#philosophy of language#humor in language#creative language use#heritage language#native children’s textbooks#foreign-language learning#upper intermediate#gaps in knowledge#listening comprehension#reading comprehension#production skills#learning progressions#self-study#teaching experience#new concepts#language proficiency#vocabulary#grammar#guidance