1. Introduction
2. Heritage languages and heritage speakers
What is a heritage language?
Who is a heritage speaker?
Heritage language communities
Other heritage speakers
Summary
3. The language of heritage speakers
Bilingual competence in heritage speakers
The grammar of heritage speakers
Natural linguistic processes at work
Summary
4. The bilingual development of heritage speakers
Bilingual acquisition
Acquisition and mastery of a language
Language development and age
Factors affecting the language development of heritage speakers
Implications
5. Theoretical approaches
Theories of native language acquisition
Some theoretical perspectives on second language acquisition
Theoretical approaches to heritage language acquisition
Summary
6. Methodological considerations
Research methods
What is the baseline?
Unilingual versus bilingual approach
Defining and describing the population of heritage speakers
Experimental data and types of tasks
Group versus individuals results in experimental studies
Summary
7. How native are heritage speakers?
Native-like ability in some heritage speakers
Non-native ability in most heritage speakers
Heritage speakers and child L1 learners
Child and heritage speakers
Different imput?
Summary
8. Are heritage speakers like second languages learners?
Differences and similarities between heritage speakers and second language learners
Heritage speakers and second language research
The role of experience in heritage and second language development
Classroom research
Summary
9. Some implications
Language sciences
Language education
Language policies
Conclusion.