Why Supporting Spanish-Speaking Students is Critical: 2022 Spanish-Usage Report

Languages are living, breathing entities. They evolve and change with the people who speak them. 

Since 1998, the Instituto Cervantes, one of the world’s largest institutions dedicated to teaching Spanish, has published an extensive annual study that compiles the state of the Spanish language in the world. The report, El español en el mundo, covers topics such as Spanish in business, tourism, technology, and demographic data changes over the year.

The most recent report, published in November 2022, has important implications for Spanish teachers in the United States. The numbers showed U.S. demographic changes, including how the U.S. has the largest Spanish-speaking population outside of Latin America and Spain. This trend suggests a need for programs and resources catering to Spanish-speaking students' specific needs and learning styles for native and heritage speakers. 

Here are some of the most striking findings and actionable best practices to implement with your native and heritage Spanish-speaking students.

Spanish in Numbers: Who Speaks the Language?

The number of native Spanish speakers worldwide has increased by about three million since last year to approximately 496.5 million.

The number of Spanish speakers balloons to more than 595 million people worldwide if we include speakers of Spanish both as a native and secondary language, and Spanish is the official language of 21 countries.

It’s estimated that, in 2022, almost 24 million students studied Spanish as a foreign language, with 40% of Spanish students living in countries where English is the official or co-official language. The study of Spanish is especially prevalent in the United States and the United Kingdom.

The native and heritage Spanish speakers in your classes are members of this vast, worldwide community. How do the growing numbers of Spanish speakers in the U.S. in this report affect school districts and teachers? Here are some examples: 

• Increased demand for bilingual and ESL (English as a Second Language) programs and resources.

• Changes in curriculum and materials to better serve Spanish-speaking students.

• Challenges in meeting the unique needs of Spanish-speaking students from different cultural backgrounds.

• Greater emphasis on language development and language acquisition, both in English and Spanish.

• Increased need for parental involvement and outreach to Spanish-speaking families.

• Greater awareness and sensitivity to Spanish-speaking students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

• Greater need for collaboration and coordination among schools, districts, and community organizations to support Spanish-speaking students.

The need to address the socio-economic factors that contribute to the educational success of Spanish-speaking students.

The statistics reported in 2022's El español en el mundo report are reflected in our student demographics, reminding us of the need to invest more in supporting our native and heritage Spanish speakers. By doing so, we can foster inclusive learning environments that challenge the idea that speaking Spanish as a primary language is uncommon or disadvantageous.

In the United States, Spanish Is Not a Foreign Language.

There is no doubt that Spanish is not a foreign language in the United States. According to El español en el mundo, over 41 million people in the United States speak Spanish as their primary language, making it the second most spoken language in the country.

By 2060, the United States will be the second country with the most native Spanish speakers worldwide, after Mexico. Estimates by the United States Census Bureau indicate that by 2060, there will be 111 million Hispanics distributed throughout the country. This means that 27.5% of the US population, almost one in three residents of the United States, will be Hispanic. The United States will have more native Spanish speakers than Spain, Colombia, or Argentina!

Challenges Facing Spanish-Speaking Students in the U.S.

Despite the growing influence of Spanish in the U.S., there are still many challenges that Spanish-speaking students and families may face when accessing education.

One of the main challenges is the need for more English language learning (ELL) or translation services. This can make it difficult for Spanish-speaking students to fully understand and engage with the material taught in their classes, which can negatively impact their academic performance.

Cultural barriers can also be a challenge for Spanish-speaking students and families. Many may need to learn how to navigate the U.S. education system. They may need help understanding the importance of homework or being aware of the resources available to them, such as tutoring or counseling services. Cultural barriers can also make it difficult for parents and students to build trust and a positive relationship with educators.

Educators need to recognize Spanish-speaking students and families' challenges regarding access to education and actively address them. 

Providing Support for Native Spanish Speakers in the U.S.

Fortunately, school districts can support Spanish-speaking families and ensure that these students have equal access to education. Some strategies that school districts can use include:

• Providing translation services. School districts can use translation services to ensure that communication with Spanish-speaking families is precise and accurate. These services can include providing translated documents, such as school newsletters and parent-teacher conference materials, and having translators available for phone calls and in-person meetings.

• Hiring bilingual staff. Having bilingual staff, including teachers, counselors, and support staff, can create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for Spanish-speaking students and families. Bilingual staff can also serve as role models and mentors for Spanish-speaking students and can help facilitate communication between families and staff.

• Offering dual language programs. Dual language programs can effectively support Spanish-speaking students and families. These programs typically involve teaching content in both English and Spanish to help students become proficient in both languages. Dual language programs can be particularly beneficial for Spanish-speaking students since they can develop their language skills while learning other academic content. It also provides the benefit of exposing native English-speaking students to Spanish to foster cultural competence and celebration in both directions, creating a more inclusive learning environment where one language is not privileged over another.

• Using a curriculum intentionally designed for Spanish speakers.  A curriculum that caters to the needs and learning styles of native and heritage Spanish speakers can create a more inclusive and supportive educational environment, ultimately leading to better academic outcomes for these students. For example, En voz alta is the only program that inspires Spanish speakers to discover and embrace their bicultural and bilingual identities while addressing their varied language proficiency through true, integrated differentiation. 

When native Spanish speakers in the U.S. are fully supported at school, they can access the same education and opportunities as their native English-speaking peers. School environments become more inclusive and welcoming by recognizing the value of linguistic and cultural diversity.

Spanish Is a Living and Thriving Language

Spanish's future looks bright, as projections show that the number of Spanish speakers will continue to grow. And this growth will considerably impact how we teach Spanish in the United States. We’re ready! Are you?  

If you’re interested in seeing examples of immersive and authentic Spanish language instruction, check out the sample materials for En voz alta and see firsthand how this innovative program can help your native and heritage Spanish speakers succeed academically and build confidence in their abilities.