Spanish Classes for Heritage Spanish Learners

By Jorge Navarro

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November 03, 2025

Contents

Introduction

Who Are Heritage Spanish Students?

Placing Students in the Right Class

Teaching Methods for Heritage Speakers

Strengths and Gaps of Heritage Learners

Study Abroad and Immersion

Connecting to Career Goals

Using Teaching Methodology for Inclusion

Working Through Challenges

Summary: Steps for Supporting Heritage Learners

Introduction

College Spanish classes are evolving. It’s crucial to support heritage Spanish learners with effective methods. These students, sometimes called heritage language students in college, grew up speaking Spanish at home or in their community.

But they often need help with reading, writing, or formal language. When teachers use inclusive strategies for heritage speakers, they help these learners succeed alongside second-language learners.

Who Are Heritage Spanish Students?

A heritage Spanish student is someone who speaks Spanish at home but learned in informal settings. They know vocabulary and culture, but may not have strong grammar or writing skills. They are different from students who learn Spanish only in school. We call the latter second language learners.

It’s important to treat these two groups differently. Teachers should offer curriculum differentiation so everyone feels included and challenged based on their language background.

Placing Students in the Right Class

Placement Testing for Heritage vs Second Language Learners

For second-language learners: tests focus on grammar, listening, reading, and vocabulary.
For heritage language students in college: tests should also check speaking skills and cultural understanding.

Some universities use oral interviews and special writing tasks for heritage students. That way, they are placed in courses that match their real skills.

Including heritage Spanish speakers in university classes helps students learn with the right peers. This leads to better success through fair assessments.

Teaching Methods for Heritage Speakers

Here are strategies for heritage learners in college Spanish classes that work:

Differentiated Curriculum: Provide different lessons in the same class, some students work on writing skills, while others strengthen grammar or vocabulary.
Peer Pairing: Heritage learners can help classmates in speaking, while classmates can help them with reading and structure.
Cultural Projects: Let students explore culture through videos, music, or family interviews in Spanish.
Skills Workshops: Offer workshops in writing or grammar just for heritage speakers.

These methods support both heritage vs second language learners and make learning fair and effective.

Strengths and Gaps of Heritage Learners

Heritage learners often:

Speak fluently
Understand casual conversations
Know cultural customs

They may need help with:

Writing essays
Formal grammar
Academic Spanish

By focusing on curriculum differentiation, teachers can help heritage students keep their strengths while working on areas they miss.

Study Abroad and Immersion

Taking heritage students on study abroad programs is a great idea. These inclusive strategies for heritage speakers help them connect with their roots and deepen language use. They might already speak Spanish, but immersion pushes them to read, write, and use formal language too.

Tips for immersion programs:

Add extra writing courses abroad
Include visits to libraries or universities
Encourage reflection on language and identity

This mix of culture and formal learning helps heritage learners strengthen both fluency and literacy. These programs are also similar to the foundational approach of dual-language Spanish programs for students and schools.

Connecting to Career Goals

Heritage learners already speak Spanish, and colleges can help them use it in their careers. Universities should offer:

Career workshops in Spanish communication
Internship opportunities in Spanish-speaking settings
Mentorship from Spanish-speaking professionals

These inclusive strategies for heritage speakers help students use their language in jobs and feel confident in their cultural backgrounds.

Using Teaching Methodology for Inclusion

To support university heritage learners, teachers need strong teaching methodology:

Use pair and group activities in Spanish
Encourage writing based on culture and identity
Include readings and media by native authors
Use apps or tools that help grammar and clarity

This approach honors the language background of each student and supports classroom inclusion.

Working Through Challenges

Sometimes colleges don’t have enough staff or money to develop heritage-specific courses. Solutions include:

Partnering with education platforms like Comligo
Training teachers on how to work with heritage learners
Adding optional workshops outside class
Creating online grammar modules and writing help for heritage students

These steps make the program stronger and more inclusive without needing big budgets.

Why It Matters

Helping heritage Spanish learners in college is important for three reasons:

It leads to better language outcomes when classes match students' needs.
Inclusive classrooms are fair to all students, whether heritage or second-language learners.
Graduates with both fluency and literacy are ready for college and a global job market.

By treating both groups with care, universities show they value language diversity and support student success. Acknowledging the long-term benefits of bilingual education is a key step.

Summary: Steps for Supporting Heritage Learners

Recognize heritage language students in college with flexible placement tests
Use curriculum differentiation to meet diverse needs
Include real-world cultural content and writing support
Add opportunities for immersion and study abroad
Connect language learning to career paths
Train teachers in inclusive strategies for heritage learners
Partner with platforms like Comligo to enhance resources

These steps ensure both heritage and second-language learners thrive in the same classroom.

By using these methods, colleges can build better Spanish programs that respect each student’s language background, encourage classroom inclusion, and prepare students for the future. This helps everyone, whether they grew up speaking Spanish or are learning it fresh in college.

Jorge Navarro

Academic Team

Jorge Navarro is a Spanish teacher and Portuguese–Spanish translator with over a decade of experience working with learners of all ages. Originally from Cartagena, Colombia, he brings the warmth of the Caribbean to every class. Jorge is passionate about language, culture, music, and creating joyful, communicative learning experiences.