Heritage Speakers: Bridging the Language Gap and Promoting Bilingualism, Biliteracy and Biculturalism.
Strand
Strand IV: Culture, Identity & Community
Immersion/Partner Language(s)
Spanish
Level
High School
Program Summary/Abstract Description
Students who have a heritage language are those who speak a language other than English at home. For many, English is their dominant language, but they still use the heritage language to communicate with family members. Heritage Spanish speakers can communicate orally with greater ease than their classmates learning Spanish for the first time. Nevertheless, some heritage speakers cannot write or use academic or more complex language at the same level of proficiency as they can speak the language. To take them out of this fixed state or to widen and enrich their knowledge, this workshop will explore activities to promote critical thinking skills in both Spanish and English, promoting bilingualism and biculturalism through the practice and mastery of academic language and practicing reading, writing, listening and speaking within the cultural and social framework of all regions in the Spanish-speaking world. Participants will receive a module sample Galeria.
Lead Presenter
Myriam Louzao, Santillana USA
Role/Title
Director of Professional Development