The very first lesson in teaching Slavic languages as foreign and heritage languages

Abstract

The very first lesson in language teaching has long been regarded as a particularly significant moment. It is far more than a mere organisational starting point: it is a moment in which expectations are met or disappointed, learning dispositions begin to develop, and the foundations for motivation and rapport are laid. Especially in the teaching of Slavic languages – whether as foreign or heritage languages – this first lesson can be of special importance. For foreign language learners, it opens the door to a new and often unfamiliar linguistic and cultural world; for many heritage speakers, it marks the beginning of a conscious engagement with the standard language of their family background. Thus, the first lesson is not only a pedagogical starting point but also a symbolic act of encounter, recognition, or re-orientation.