Heritage speakers’ prior exposure can intimidate second-language learners.

Evidence

In contrast to heritage learners, second-language learners like ROTC students and linguistics majors are characterized by their lack of previously sustained contact with the language and culture being taught in the classroom. This creates what some education researchers have termed an “intimidation gap,” where second-language learners are overwhelmed or frustrated by heritage learners’ previous exposure to course material. — Neda Maghbouleh, The Limits of Whiteness, 317

Categorization

• DEFINE: Introduces and defines the ‘intimidation gap’ concept.