Heritage Language Education Network

Many parents want their children to integrate into Dutch society while also speaking their home language well. Strong skills in the home language keep children connected to their roots and able to communicate confidently with extended family. Heritage language (HL) programs – also known as “mother tongue schools” – are often grassroots, non-profit initiatives run by parents from non-majority-language communities. HLE Network maintains a public directory of HL programs in the region (www.hlenet.org/directory), which parents can use to arrange a visit to a lesson program and decide if it is a good fit for their child.