language nest

plural language nests

1. human sciencesA language revitalisation programme in which children and non-native speakers acquire the endangered language through immersion in special-purpose locations called 'nests'.

   From our viewpoint, getting a language nest established is essential. It is very difficult to remain motivated to use the target language on a regular basis if there is no circumstance that necessitates it.

   2018, Leanne Hinton, The Routledge Handbook of Language Revitalization

   1 more example

   There are now language nests all over the world—Besides New Zealand and Hawai'i, there are language nests (and immersion preschools for endangered languages by other labels) in mainland United States (for example, the Esther Martinez fund of the Adminstration for Native Americans funded proposals for nine ongoing or planned language nests and other pre-school immersion programs in 2015.

   2018, Kenneth L. Rehg, Lyle Campbell, The Oxford Handbook of Endangered Languages, page 447

2. human sciencesThe location itself.