three overlapping circles; in the middle, heritage speakers is an anchor to the circle on the left, labeled native speaker, and the circle on the right, labeled L2 learner
Course

Teaching Spanish to Heritage Speakers

Time limit: 56 days
1.6 credits

$400 Enroll

Full course description

Please enroll now. 

Online synchronous

8 sessions, May 6-June 24

Tuesdays 5:30-7:30 PM CST

This course for Spanish teachers explores issues related to teaching Spanish to heritage speakers (SHS), including topics such as these:

  • How do people develop two languages in childhood?
  • What are the main features of Spanish in the U.S.?
  • Why do modern SHS programs center critical language arts and how does this promote social justice?
  • What are the best concrete goals for my school’s SHS program and how can I place students there accurately?

 In addition to participating in discussions on shared readings, the class engages in frequent group work, materials analysis, and writing activities. The focus is most suitable for high school and postsecondary instructors, although middle school teachers have evaluated the course favorably. The course is taught synchronously online in Spanish and English and receives 1.6 hours of Continuing Education credit.