Exploring the Dynamics of Speaking and Learning Spanish in Western Canada

This book brings together a series of empirical studies to examine the role of Spanish in Western Canada inside and outside the classroom and from the perspectives of students, teachers, and immigrants. It offers an in-depth look at the diverse experiences of these groups in terms of learning and using Spanish and is essential reading for those interested in Spanish as an additional, heritage, and first language in multilingual contexts.

Dr. Rachel L. Shively

Professor of Spanish and Applied Linguistics

Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Illinois State University

Canada is a Spanish-speaking nation. Although English and French are favored publicly, Spanish is an important language in the country. Of particular interest are heritage speakers, who have skills and needs that differ from those of second-language learners. The linguistic discrimination that heritage speakers face from a society that does not understand them and side-lines their language creates an environment in which Canada stands to lose Spanish.

This book is an essential reference for anyone who speaks and/or works with Spanish in Canada. It provides an engaging and cohesive summary of recent research, along with original investigations conducted among the Spanish-speaking population of western Canada. Included are first-hand accounts, as well as discussion questions and prompts that can be utilized in the classroom and in the community institutions. It does not shy away from criticism of the dangers that institutional privileging of Canada’s two official languages does to Spanish speakers, their language, and their sense of belonging in the country.

For Canada to truly embrace its multilingual and multicultural nature, Spanish must be included in its educational systems, institutional discourse, and public life. "Exploring the Dynamics of Speaking and Learning Spanish in Western Canada" provides a call to action, as well as a pathway to reach that goal.

Dr. Meghann Peace

Chair of the Department of Languages

St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas

This data-rich book provides useful insights and recommendations for students, instructors and language program coordinators, researchers, policymakers, and language users themselves who are interested in how Spanish and—by extension—other non-official languages are spoken, taught, learned, and negotiated in the complex linguistic and cultural environment of Western Canada.

Dr. Mary Grantham O'Brien

Department of Linguistics

Simon Fraser University

This exceptional volume constitutes a timely, original, and substantive contribution to the domains of Spanish applied linguistics, heritage language studies, and multilingualism research in the Canadian context. Drawing on a robust and methodologically sophisticated mixed-methods research program, it provides a theoretically informed and empirically grounded analysis of Spanish language acquisition, heritage language maintenance, identity formation, and multilingual practices in Western Canada. Through the systematic integration of classroom-based investigations, virtual exchange initiatives, and the lived experiences of learners, educators, and immigrant communities, Angela George offers a compelling synthesis of sociolinguistic inquiry, language education research, and language policy perspectives. The volume’s distinctive contribution lies in its ability to connect macro-level questions of linguistic diversity and language ecology with micro-level processes of language learning, identity negotiation, and community engagement. Characterized by conceptual depth, methodological rigor, and pedagogical relevance, this work advances our understanding of Spanish as a dynamic and evolving component of Canada’s multilingual repertoire. It will serve as an indispensable reference for scholars, educators, and policymakers engaged in the study and promotion of multilingualism, heritage language education, and linguistic diversity.

Prof. Dr. Francisco Salgado-Robles

Department of Teaching and Learning

The City College of New York (CUNY)

"Exploring the Dynamics of Speaking and Learning Spanish in Western Canada" offers a comprehensive and timely account of Spanish as an additional language, a heritage language, and a vital social resource in Western Canada. Drawing on diverse perspectives and rich empirical data from learners, teachers, and Spanish-speaking immigrants, Angela George compellingly demonstrates Spanish’s evolving place in Canada’s multilingual landscape and makes a persuasive case for more equitable pedagogical practices and stronger institutional recognition.

Prof. Dr. Carol A. Klee

Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities