CALL FOR PAPERS for SYMPOSIUM ON KOREAN HERITAGE LEARNERS AND SPEAKERS AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 led to a rapid increase in Korean immigration to the United States and by the 1990s, the Korean diaspora community became one of the largest immigrant communities in the country. As a result, the main demographic of Korean language students at universities in the US during late twentieth century consisted mostly of 1.5 and 2^nd generation Korean heritage learners. In the 21^st century, along with the growth of non-heritage learners largely driven by the global popularity of Korean culture, Korean heritage learners continue to form an important part of the student body in Korean language programs at universities and colleges. Today’s Korean heritage learners, however, are far more diverse, including 3^rd generation Korean Americans, learners frommultilingual or transnational households, and those with only one Korean parent. Unlike earlier generations who possessed similar linguistic profiles, Korean heritage learners today come with a broader range of linguistic proficiencies, lived experiences, cultural exposure, and identity affiliations—from highly proficient bilinguals to receptive speakers and overhearers. This increasing diversity calls for new approaches to understanding Korean heritage language acquisition, use, and pedagogy.

In recognition of these demographic developments, we invite paper proposals addressing the language, culture, and identity of the current and emerging
generations of diverse Korean heritage speakers and learners. Proposals should be 500 words (plus an additional page for references and figures, tables, etc.) and should include details of the methodological approach(es) applied in the study. We particularly welcome empirically grounded theoretical work representing diverse methodologies. Paper proposals accepted will be considered for publication in a special issue of an academic journal. Authors will also be invited to present their papers at a symposium and manuscript workshop to be held at Harvard University in spring 2027 (April). 

Manuscripts for the symposium may analyze recent developments and their relationship to language acquisition, pedagogy, or socialization in local or global settings. Empirically based theoretical work and all methodological approaches are welcome. Potential paper topics on Korean heritage speakers might include but are not limited to:

• L1 heritage language acquisition and socialization
• Heritage speakers and instructional SLA
• Heritage classroom language socialization
• Heritage language and diaspora
• Heritage language overhearers
• Linguistic profiles of 3^rd generation HL learners
•  Family language practices and policies
• Identity construction of 3rd generation heritage speakers and overhearers
• Identity of parents of heritage speakers or heritage speaking parents
• Translingual and transnational communication in heritage language use

SUBMISSION

The deadline for submission of proposals is November15, 2026. Decisions on all proposals will be made by December 15, 2026. Authors of accepted
proposals will be expected to present their full papers at the symposium, to be followed by a manuscript workshop at Harvard University where lodging and meals will be provided. Submitted papers must not have been published elsewhere. Please submit proposals in MS Word or PDF format to both organizers: Hi-Sun Kim (hisun@fas.harvard.edu) and Ji-Young Jung (jj277@columbia.edu).