Chicago is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the country, with nearly 22 percent of the population foreign-born, according to the 2011 American Community Survey.  The benefits of studying a heritage language go far deeper than just a career boost; by retaining their native languages, young first-, second- and third-generation Chicagoans like Omar are reinforcing a link to their homelands that would otherwise be lost in the shuffle of acculturation and Americanization.
   Peyton said the issue of identity is key among heritage language learners and their families. Some first- and second-generation Americans may wish to embrace their ethnic heritage, like Kalaya, while some, like Omar, seek to distance themselves from it in favor of a more Americanized culture.