About the SHLL program
The Spanish for Heritage Language Learners (SHLL) program consists of courses designed for students that have learned Spanish mainly at home or by living within a Spanish-speaking community rather than in an academic setting. There are currently three 300-level courses offered in the program, Spanish 314, 315, and 316. The purpose of these courses is to integrate students of Hispanic/Latinx heritage into the curriculum of Spanish at Oregon State University.
Program Mission
The primary mission of the Spanish for Heritage Language Learners (SHLL) program at Oregon State University is to support our Hispanic/Latinx students as they continue to develop their Spanish language skills. The program aims to support its students by providing a nurturing, inclusive, and academically-rigorous environment that serves students of all backgrounds and majors. We believe that each student in our program has a wealth of cultural knowledge in addition to linguistic knowledge, which is not only acknowledged, but celebrated within the program. Additionally, the program aims to serve as a home away from home for heritage students that want to maintain their Spanish while also building relationships with other heritage students across campus.
We work on varied activities that are focused on real-world tasks that integrate students' previous knowledge while practicing their linguistic knowledge in all four skills (speaking, writing, listening, reading). The courses in this program are designed to build on the strengths of SHLL while also recognizing the historical, sociopolitical, educational, and other relevant factors that have impacted their ability to maintain Spanish as a heritage language in an English-dominant context. In his way, we recognize and validate the lived experiences of SHLL students in the U.S. and take a critical approach to unpacking issues relevant to language and power. By providing a critical understanding of the underlying issues relevant to maintaining Spanish in the U.S., we can continue to build linguistic self-esteem and instill pride in our heritage languages (including languages other than Spanish), identities, and cultures.
Program Objectives
The primary objectives of our SHLL program are:
- To build an on-campus community for Latinx students where they can feel comfortable developing their Spanish skills.
- To validate and instill pride in our heritage speakers’ identities and their varieties of Spanish.
- To assist students in gaining a critical understanding of the sociopolitical, cultural, historical, and other relevant extralinguistic factors that impact their experiences as Latinx Spanish speakers in the U.S.
- To support students in meeting their academic and personal goals.
Curricula
SPAN 314, 315, 316: Third-year Spanish for Heritage Language Learners course sequence
Using critical language awareness, students will practice their linguistic skills (speaking, writing, reading, listening) to build their confidence and meet their academic and personal goals. In these classes, we incorporate topics relevant to the Latinx experience in the U.S., including sociopolitics, identity, culture, history, and other important issues.
SPAN 351: Hispanic Linguistics
Scientific approach to the structure of the Spanish language: syntax, phonology, word formation, dialectal differences. Taught in Spanish. Recommended for teacher certification.
SPAN 456: Spanish in the United States
This course provides an interdisciplinary foundation for the study of Spanish in the United States. The focus will be on the diverse identities of Latin@/xs, Chican@/xs, and speakers of Spanish as we/they define what it means to be bilingual locally, regionally, and nationally. Spanish will be studied from critical sociolinguistic, historical and political perspectives, among several others. We will explore issues that deal with lived experiences specific to Spanish in the U.S., such as: identity/-ies, language contact, borders and borderlands, im/migration, race, racialization, and White supremacy, Spanish varieties, language politics, and language attitudes.
Valeria Ochoa
Assistant Professor
Spanish Linguistics and Heritage Education
Helen Wilhelm
Office Specialist 2
Administration & Staff
Kelsey
Major: Double Major in Merchandising Management & Spanish
Courses Taken: SPAN 315 and SPAN 316
Why do you recommend these courses?
I think it is so beneficial for heritage learners to be surrounded by other students that had Spanish passed down to them. It has opened my eyes to how many other students are in the same position as I am. Although we were taught Spanish growing up, there is still a lot of improving and learning that we can do.
Troy
Major: Psychology with a minor in Spanish
Courses Taken: SPAN 314, 315, and 316
Why do you recommend these courses?
The SHLL program helped me grow my confidence in Spanish. I was quite nervous about coming back to Spanish after no Spanish classes for a year. My Spanish developed naturally through the year, and that was with the help of the SHLL program.
Aarón
Major: Computer Science with a minor in Spanish
Courses Taken: SPAN 314, 315, and 316
Why do you recommend these courses?
SHLL courses are great at covering the unique language gaps that we often have as heritage learners of Spanish. The courses allow you to actively practice and improve your Spanish skills in a supportive environment while studying interesting topics such as personal identity, culture, community, social dynamics, and how it all intersects with language. I gained a lot from the courses, my writing skills in particular especially improved.
Marlín
Major: Human Development and Family Science with a minor in Spanish
Courses Taken: SPAN 314, 315, and 316
Why do you recommend these courses?
I recommend taking Spanish classes and becoming part of the SHLL program because here you find individuals who are growing alongside you in enhancing their Spanish language skills. You are able to practice, share stories and create long-lasting friendships too. You also take a series of Spanish classes together so you get to see familiar faces and create tighter bonds.
Lupita
Major: Psychology with a double minor in Spanish and HDFS
Courses Taken: SPAN 314, 315, and 316
Why do you recommend these courses?
I recommend the SHLL program because I have made the best of friends in these classes. It has also given me the opportunity to meet Spanish speakers that are from different majors and backgrounds. It is an experience that granted me a new perspective and it can grant you one too.
Jacqueline
Major: Animal Science with a double minor in Spanish and Chemistry
Courses Taken: SPAN 314 and 315
Why do you recommend these courses?
I recommend the SHL program because you are able to apply the skills you already have in a classroom setting. In the class, we skew away from grammar and spelling, and we focus more on stories and the community around us. I was able to practice what I learned in class and apply it to real world problems. My favorite experience has been the end of term celebrations. Everyone was able to bring a small contribution to the party and we got to socialize outside the classroom setting.
Lisette
Major: Business Information Systems and Finance with a minor in Spanish
Courses Taken: SPAN 315 and 316
Why do you recommend these courses?
I recommend taking these courses because the professors are extremely helpful, they want to see you succeed. Plus, you get to meet people you can count on even after taking these classes. One of my most favorite experiences has definitely been the people and being able to practice my Spanish.
Marelyn
Major: Animal Science with a double minor in Spanish and Chemistry
Courses Taken: SPAN 314 and 315
Why do you recommend these courses?
I would recommend taking classes in Spanish as a heritage language learner because it takes a different approach to learning Spanish, connecting and expanding to what you already know, while also giving you the chance to improve your grammar. While part of the program, my favorite experience was our class warm-ups because it gave us a chance to get to know each other better.