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Método audiovisual para el aprendizaje del español como lengua de herencia
No full textEl gran reto de la enseñanza de idiomas a hablantes de herencia es la inconsistencia y diversidad de los conocimientos de los alumnos. Provenientes de entornos muy diferentes, su nivel de dominio de la lengua es dispar, lo que se puede corregir con este método audiovisual ágil y flexible
“Su español es incorrecto”: Challenging Spanish teachers’ and students’ linguistic beliefs through CLA in a dialectology course
No full textWith the number of Spanish heritage classes and bilingual students being on the rise (Beaudrie, Amezcua & Loza, 2021), there is a pressing need to incorporate pedagogical practices that foster inclusivity and challenge dominant language ideologies (Holguín-Mendoza, 2018; Leeman, 2012; Lacorte & Magro, 2021; inter alia). This necessity is particularly dire at the K-12 level, where teachers oftentimes lack the training to deconstruct their own –as well as their students’– linguistic beliefs to offer a more socially-conscious instruction (Hudgens-Henderson & Hackman, 2021).
Following the work of Beaudrie et al. (2021) and Wilson & Marcin (2022), this study examines the preexisting linguistic beliefs of 35 participants (20 pre and in-service Spanish teachers and 15 undergraduate students) and explores their development during a 15-week course focused on Spanish dialectal variation. A wide array of data sources (students’ reading annotations, weekly reflections, and results from a survey administered at the start and the end of the course) will be presented to show how those enrolled increased their awareness about key issues in the study of language and communication (i.e. linguistic prescriptivism, dialectal discrimination and stigmatization or raciolinguistic ideologies).
Overall, the aim of this presentation is twofold. On the one hand, it seeks to highlight the importance of integrating critical language awareness (CLA) in SHL classes –at the K-12 level and beyond– as well as in Spanish teaching preparation programs. On the other hand, it is designed to provide practical examples of how to effectively assess students’ and teachers’ beliefs regarding language variation and diversity in the Spanish classroom to ultimately foster their CLA. [260 words]
(see attached document for a PDF version
Ni modo mijo, tú dale gas: Interpreting strategies used by Spanish heritage speakers as child language brokers
No full textNi modo mijo, tú dale gas: Interpreting strategies used by Spanish heritage speakers as child language brokers
Many immigrant families often depend on their children, who have become fluent in English, for translation, interpretation, and other linguistic and cultural needs. This study aims to identify strategies used by Spanish heritage speakers when they functioned as child language brokers and ad hoc interpreters in medical settings. 71 Spanish heritage speakers in four sections of a medical Spanish class completed three journal assignments on topics designed to reflect on their experiences, attitudes, and assumptions as ad hoc interpreters in medical settings. These reflexive essays were analyzed and themes regarding their interpreting strategies were identified and classified. Of the 71 students, 55 reflected on their linguistic and cultural strategies in their journaling assignments. This included omission of medical terminology (15%), knowingly rendering the message incorrectly (24%), pointing or mimicking (4%), explaining or simplifying terminology (13%), asking the medical professional for clarification (11%), terminology research before (5%) and during (13%) the medical interaction, impartiality (9%), and demanding the help of an interpreter (13%). Surprisingly, more than 60% utilized sophisticated strategies similar to those employed by professional interpreters: asking for clarification, terminology research, and reformulating information. About 9% indicated they tried to remain impartial, as they set aside their feelings and concern for their sick relative and focused on the accuracy of the message. Finally, 13% ultimately requested an interpreter, even if this meant challenging the role assigned by their family and medical staff. The themes of these reflexive essays demonstrate that, in spite of their young age and lack of medical knowledge, some Spanish heritage speakers developed advanced linguistic and metalinguistic tools that helped them in their roles as child language brokers and ad hoc interpreters
KEYNOTE: An American Language: Seeing Spanish at Work Historically
No full textThe nation has always been multilingual, and Spanish-language rights, in particular, are an important political issue. After the U.S.-Mexican War, the Spanish language became a language of politics as Spanish speakers in the U.S. Southwest used it to build territorial and state governments. In the twentieth century, Spanish became a political language where its speakers and those opposed to its use clashed over what its presence in the United States meant and whether to allow its continuation. Spanish has a long presence in U.S. politics, culture, and society. By looking to Spanish-language rights, Lozano reconsiders what it means to be American
Insights into Subterranean Connectivity Within the Aquifer of the Yucatán Peninsula: Population Genetics and Distribution of Typhlatya Species
No full textSpecies of the anchialine cave dwelling shrimp genus Typhlatya (Atyidae) are broadly distributed among karst subterranean estuaries (KSEs) worldwide and commonly observed throughout the aquifer of the Yucatan Peninsula. Recent phylogenetic work demonstrates the presence of at least five species, where four (T. pearsei, T. mitchelli, Typhlatya sp.A, Typhlatya sp.B) were associated with the meteoric lens of inland and coastal caves, and one (T. dzilamensis) identified as a salinity generalist and restricted to coastal caves. All five species were also observed as syntopic within the Ox Bel Ha cave system. This study will assess the population genetics and structure via deeper within species sampling from ~30 inland and coastal caves of the Yucatán Peninsula, including marine caves in Belize. Analyses of mitochondrial (COI, 16SrRNA, and CYTB) and nuclear (ITS and 28SrRNA) gene data will yield a better understanding of species distributions and connectivity among cave systems across the Peninsula
Breast Cancer and Hopelessness
No full textEmotional burdens carried by breast cancer patients and the reasons for their emotions of hopelessness were the focus of this study. We sought to predict negative feelings using income, age, exercise, and years since diagnosis as predictors. The data set was obtained from the National Health Interview Survey. A multiple regression revealed that feelings of hopelessness were significantly predicted negatively by age at diagnosis, income, and amount of exercise. This is useful for the future because most variables related to cancer diagnoses are out of the patient’s control, but exercise can be varied. Patients may experience improvements in their emotional and physical well-being through exercise. The information gained through this study shows the significant need for specialized support programs, along with income and better insurance, to meet the various requirements of patients to advance understanding of psychological challenges related to getting the diagnosis
Social Characteristics of Water Conservation
No full textThe primary goal of this project is to understand the dynamics and social determinants of water conservation behavior in an urban context. A social survey was conducted among Bexar County’s residents. Survey questions were constructed to investigate two models of environmental behavior, including the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and value-belief-norm theory (VBN). Integrating VBN and TPB produced a model with better explanatory power than a single theoretical framework (Sumana & Lewlyn 2021). The survey was conducted electronically using Qualtrics in late 2022. This study presents a comparative analysis of the effects of different variables within a comprehensive social survey. We explore the relationship between age, race, gender, income, education, political ideology, party identification, and the integrated theory of water conservation behavior. Data from the survey was analyzed using structural equation modeling
Age-Based Stereotype Threat in Older Witness: A Cultural Investigation
No full textThis study addresses the challenge of age-related disparities in eyewitness identification accuracy, particularly focusing on the Age-Based Stereotype Threat (ABST) effect. As the global population ages, older adults are more likely to witness or fall victim to crimes. Previous research has shown that older adults perform less accurately in eyewitness identification tasks, and procedural interventions have been unsuccessful in improving this. Our study aims to examine how activating ABST influences older adults in a mock eyewitness scenario, exploring potential cultural differences in its impact. Participants watched a crime video and were asked to identify the perpetrator from a lineup, with half being reminded of age-related memory decline beforehand. Cultural orientation (individualism vs. collectivism) was also measured. The study\u27s conclusions anticipate informing law enforcement and justice outcomes in an aging and diverse world, emphasizing the importance of considering both age and cultural factors in eyewitness testimony
THERMAL PHYSIOLOGY OF SCELOPORUS OLIVACEUS AND SCELOPORUS VARIABILIS IN SOUTH TEXAS
Get PDFThis study explores the thermal physiology of two sympatric lizard species, Sceloporus olivaceus (Texas spiny lizard) and Sceloporus variabilis (rose-bellied lizard), in South Texas. I document the metabolic rate and its temperature sensitivity, thermal limits, and performance at different temperatures to better understand the impact of rising temperatures and urbanization on these ectotherms, whose body temperature and, consequently, metabolic rate, activity level, and reproductive success depend on their thermal environment. We hypothesize that S. olivaceus will exhibit greater thermal resilience owing to its broader latitudinal range, variable habitat usage within Texas, and presumed more versatile thermoregulatory strategies. Scelorporus olivaceus\u27s higher voluntary thermal maximum and thermal stability across temperatures indicate a greater tolerance to elevated temperatures and a potential competitive advantage in warmer habitats that result from urbanization and climate change. Sceloporus variabilis appears to be less adapted to extremely warm temperatures, which may be why we do not see them on campus while they are common in adjacent forested habitats. Understanding these species\u27 thermal ecology is crucial for predicting their adaptability and guiding conservation efforts in rapidly changing environments
Antiracismo en la clase de hablantes de herencia: contextos, reflexiones y estrategias pedagógicas
Get PDFEste taller explora cómo abordar críticamente el tema del antirracismo en las aulas a través de actividades y materiales que permiten pensar el racismo desde una perspectiva contextual, reconociendo las diferencias y similitudes en sus manifestaciones a lo largo de Latinoamérica y comparándolas con las experiencias en Estados Unidos