Writing proficiency profiles of heritage learners of Chinese, Korean, and Spanish
Alberta Gatti (PhD, Boston University) is Associate Professor of Linguistics, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York.
Teresa O'Neill (PhD, CUNY Graduate Center) is a Solutions Architect, iMerit Technology Services, and former Assistant Director of the Center for Integrated Language Communities and the Institute for Language Education in Transcultural Context, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York.
Abstract
This article describes what Intermediate and Advanced heritage language learners of Mandarin Chinese, Korean, and Spanish can do when writing in their heritage language, and what prevents these writers from performing at the next proficiency level. One hundred eighty‐seven samples were collected using the ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test. Each sample is analyzed employing a review form through which floor and ceiling criteria are identified, and the strengths and weaknesses of writing while attempting next‐level functions are made evident. The proficiency profiles resulting from this analysis are used to propose pedagogical practices in support of literacy development.
