How to use this book
Spanish in/of the United States: Español en los Estados Unidos is designed for users to learn about the legacy of Spanish in the US and to reflect on the cultural, historical, and linguistic significance of US Latinas/os/es, and its connection to Latin American, Indigenous and Afro-descendants communities. It is designed to be used as an introductory level Spanish Language Studies text that can be used in Spanish for Heritage Language Learners (HLL) and Second Language Learners (SLL). We rely in implicit language understanding, critical language awareness, and translanguaging strategies to encourage students to gain a deeper understanding of Spanish language variation, attitudes and the diversity of experiences represented in each classroom that uses this book. That is, whether you are an HLL or SLL, you bring language practices that can allow you to recognize, test, compare those of US Spanish speakers and bilingual communities. Each chapter invites us to recognize language as tied to identity, connection to communities, and how strengthening our bilingual skills can open up opportunities for service, professional advancement and access.
Projects: Our project-based learning model allows students to develop their creative, multiliteracy and multimedia language use. We encourage instructors to modify instructions to address students’ interests and needs.
Grammar: Español en los Estados Unidos grammar is implicitly integrated into each chapter and with additional explanations. We are inspired by the Critical Sociocultural Linguistic Literacy (CriSoLL) approach developed by Dr. Claudia Holguín Mendoza and her team, so
“Students and educators have the opportunity to develop critical language awareness (CLA), racial literacy in a critical historical context, as well as language symbolic competence. Students develop knowledge and skills (literacy) through practice with the language in their own sociocultural contexts and exercising their own agency.”
Therefore, we do not offer a comprehensive grammar description or grammatical drills. However, we do include links of resources students can utilize to further investigate and practice what they need. For example, a great resource is the following page: Spanish Grammar in Context – A reference grammar with video examples from the Spanish in Texas collection
Vocabulary: Vocabulary is key to learning new words in different contexts and to help you understand the reading in each chapter. We also offer additional vocabulary by offering translation of key words within the readings. We highly recommend that students keep a personal dictionary to access when needed. We offer several interactive vocabulary activities for practice. Instructors should use additional class time to practice group vocabulary activities and be attentive to students’ needs and interests.
Other helpful resources include:
https://www.lexipedia.com/spanish/bienvenido
AsiHablamos.com – El Diccionario Latinoamericano
Lleva Tilde – Reglas de acentuación de palabras | LlevaTilde.es
CVC. En sintonía con el español. (cervantes.es)
