*The text for this exercise is also available in German / Turkish / Greek.*

You know the tiresome topic: the heritage language education! Most of the time parents insist that their children frequent this class. Often it is from families who speak another language than German at home. But what is the use of this? It often takes place in the afternoon and even in another school. Do you need this education even though you live in Germany? You have less free time, more homework, the grade doesn't count towards your report card at least until grade 9 – so a waste of time. Or maybe it isn't?

Be honest: What do you think about this class?

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​After you discussed, you can watch this video of Cristina Flores together. She grew up as a child of Portuguese parents in Hamburg. Today, she is a professor for German at a Portuguese university.

Summarise the content of the video, maybe several students in turn since the video conveys a lot of interesting aspects. Discuss following questions:

Questions

1. ​What does bilingualism mean for Cristina?
2. How were the German skills of her parents?
3. Which language did Cristina prefer in her childhood?
4. How did Cristina feel about the "Portuguese class" that she frequented?
5. How does she think about that class today? Why does she think like that?
6. Why did the class influence Cristina's life since then?
7. How are her language skills today?

Suggestions for answers

for 1.​ 

• At home the parents sopke Portuguese; Portuguese was the family language 
• German was spoken in school, with (Portuguese) friends and with the sister 

for 2.

• Cristina's mother never properly learned German, Portuguese was always the family language

for 3.

• German was her dominant language
• With her parents she spoke Portuguese, outside of her family she mostly spoke German

for 4.

• Cristina's parents insisted on her visiting this class
• As a child she reluctantly went to this class, because her Turkish, Greek and other friends had free time while she went to the course 

for 5. 

• Now Cristina is thankful to her parents for frequenting the Portuguese class
• She can read, write and express herself well in Portuguese as well as in German

for 6.

• Through this class she learned about Portuguese literature from grade 7
• She always had the goal to learn more about the Portuguese language and literature
• After her Abitur, she decided to study linguistics in Portugal (after a few detours)
• The Portuguese class enabled her to study in Portugal 

for 7.

• Cristina is still bilingual, because she lives in Portugal since 1994 Portuguese became her dominant language