Language and Identity in a Dual Immersion School

This book describes the experiences of a group of students in Chicago, Illinois, who are attending one of the first Spanish-English dual immersion schools in the US. The author follows the group during two school years, documenting their Spanish use and proficiency and how their two languages intersect with the production of their identities.

Kim Potowski is an Assistant Professor of Spanish at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she directs the Spanish for heritage speakers program. Her research focuses on the Spanish of bilingual speakers, including how Spanish is spoken in the United States, the effectiveness of curricula for heritage speakers, and professional development for teachers. She is the author of Fundamentos de la enseñanza del español a hispanohablantes en los Estados Unidos (Arco Libros, 2005).

Kim Potowski is an Assistant Professor of Spanish at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she directs the Spanish for heritage speakers program. Her research focuses on the Spanish of bilingual speakers, including how Spanish is spoken in the United States, the effectiveness of curricula for heritage speakers, and professional development for teachers. She is the author of Fundamentos de la enseñanza del español a hispanohablantes en los Estados Unidos (Arco Libros, 2005).

"Identity investment is key to understanding how two-way immersion (TWI) programs function on the local level. Potowski demonstrates that when students invest in their identities as Spanish speakers (regardless of their ethnic or linguistic background), they are more likely to develop expertise in Spanish. Educators who understand this fundamental sociolinguistic notion can find creative ways to actively counter student resistance to Spanish at school."

Donna Christian, President of the Center for Applied Linguistics, Washington, USA:

"This volume offers valuable insights into the inner workings of two-way immersion classrooms and helps us understand why students resist using Spanish. Everyone who cares about bilingualism as a goal of two-way immersion should know about this research."