Kim Potowski

Professor of Linguistics, University of Illinois at Chicago

Dr. Kim Potowski is Professor of Spanish linguistics at the University of Illinois at Chicago, with courtesy appointments in Latin American and Latino Studies and in Curriculum and Instruction. Her research focuses on Spanish in the U.S., including factors that influence language maintenance as well as connections between language, education, and identity. She directed her campus’ Spanish Heritage Language Program for 17 years and is the founding director of its summer study abroad program in Oaxaca, Mexico. Her advocacy for the value of dual language education in promoting bilingualism and biliteracy was the focus of her 2013 TEDx talk “No child left monolingual.” She has authored and edited over 12 books including:

El español de los Estados Unidos

Heritage language teaching: Research and practice

Language diversity in the USA

Language and identity in a dual immersion school

…as well as the Spanish textbooks "Gramática y variación social" and "Conversaciones escritas".

Myths and realities about U.S. Spanish

The U.S. has one of the largest populations of Spanish-speakers in the world, yet the varieties of Spanish spoken here are often stigmatized. This talk explores some of the features of U.S. Spanish, the mechanisms that lead to linguistic prestige, the term "Spanglish," and positive ways that educators and family members can encourage Spanish development among heritage speakers.

This presentation will be available for on-demand viewing on December 2nd during Global CRED. Register for Global CRED below, it’s quick easy and free!