Twenty years ago, Jane Ross and I began a collaboration grounded in a shared belief: that heritage languages have the power to connect communities, cultures, and generations.

What started in 2005 with the creation of the French Heritage Language Program in New York has since grown into a thriving initiative, serving thousands of students and expanding nationwide through the Embassy of France in the United States and Villa Albertine’s French for All initiative.

Today, we are especially proud to see that journey reflected in Bridging Worlds. The book grew out of a 2011 conference on heritage languages and social cohesion that we organized at the Lycée Français de New York. The conversations that began there—among scholars, educators, and advocates—sparked collaborations that ultimately came together in this volume.

Nearly two decades after our work first began, publishing Bridging Worlds together holds deep personal and professional meaning for both of us. The book brings together the extraordinary contributions of scholars and educators whose work deepens our understanding of identity, community, and multilingual education.

We are deeply grateful to all the contributors, as well as to the institutions and communities that supported this work. Special thanks to Raymond Verdaguer for the magnificent cover illustration, and to The Center for the Advancement of Languages, Education, and Communities (CALEC) for supporting this project from its earliest vision through publication.

This project celebrates not only heritage languages, but also the collaborations and friendships that make this work possible.

Jane, it has been an honor building this bridge together.

Purchase the book and support CALEC:

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