Celebra mi herencia: A Spanish Reading Program (2023-2024)

Many American school systems focus on solely teaching English to Spanish heritage language learners, and linguistically diverse students are often viewed from a deficit perspective — lacking in English, Spanish or both. From this perspective, heritage language skills are a burden as opposed to a strength.

Research suggests school systems should encourage linguistic diversity. Indeed, many studies have shown the advantages of bilingualism as well as the advantages of incorporating knowledge from culturally diverse families. These outcomes offer future job opportunities and deeper connections with family members and their heritage.

Building on the work of previous teams, this team continued to operate and evaluate the ¡Celebra mi herencia! program, which pairs Latino/a families with undergraduate students at Duke to read children’s books in Spanish by Latino/a and Latin American authors. The main goal of the program is to promote interactive sessions, foster a love of reading and enhance reading motivation, while also helping to support children in maintaining their heritage language.

Using pre- and post-study surveys, the team evaluated three key factors affecting reading motivation: self-perception of reading skills, social reading experiences (literacy out loud) and the individual value attributed to reading.

Read more about this team’s work by reading their team profile.

Timing

Fall 2023 – Spring 2024

Team Outputs

“Oh, This is Actually Fun!”: Impact of a Reading Program on Latino/a Children’s Ethnic Identity Formation and Reading Motivation (Poster presented at Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase, April 17, 2024; Runner-up, Bass Connections Showcase Poster Competition)

Promoting Multilingualism Through a Spanish Reading Program (Team profile; 2024 Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Virtual Showcase)

Celebra mi herencia: A Spanish Reading Program (Lightning Talk; Bass Connections Showcase)

 

See earlier related team, Celebrating Latinx Culture with a Spanish Reading Program (2022-2023).

Image: The Celebra mi herencia project team with their research poster at the end of the year; photo courtesy of the Celebra mi herencia team

Team photo with research poster.

Team Leaders

  • Joan Clifford, Arts & Sciences-Romance Studies
  • Stephanie Contreras, Arts & Sciences-Romance Studies
  • Riley Selig-Addiss, Sanford School of Public Policy–MPP Student
  • Silvia Serrano, Arts & Sciences-Romance Studies
  • Maia Szulik, Center for Child and Family Policy, Sanford School of Public Policy

/undergraduate Team Members

  • Ana Martinez
  • Joshua Lopez, Robertson Scholarship - UNC
  • Sofia Guerrero, Neuroscience (BS)
  • Sofia Cava
  • Rohan Guddanti
  • Cara Shield
  • Abigail Eun, Public Policy Studies (AB)
  • Calista Ringas, Psychology (BS)
  • Joseph Raza

/yfaculty/staff Team Members

  • Katie Rosanbalm, Sanford School of Public Policy-Center for Child and Family Policy
  • Megan Gray, Social Science Research Institute
  • Brianna Sanders, Duke Office of Durham and Community Affairs
  • Marie Chelini, Arts & Sciences-Evolutionary Anthropology
  • Robert Carr, Sanford School of Public Policy-Center for Child and Family Policy
  • Jessica Sperling Smokoski, Social Science Research Institute

/zcommunity Team Members

  • Carlos Taboada
  • Nicolas Andrade, University of Mar del Plata, Argentina
  • Celeste Luna, Latinx Arts Boston
  • Iglesia Presbiteriana Emanuel
  • Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
  • Durham Public Library
  • First Book
  • Book Harvest
  • Leigh Bordley, Latino Educational Achievement Partnership
  • Laura Andrade

Theme(s):