Spanish language education in the United States: Beginning, present, and future

Abstract

Language instruction and learning in United States educational programs date back to the 17th century (Rexine, 1977). Among the most common languages taught at schools and universities were Latin, Greek, German, and French, while Spanish was not formally taught at an American institution until 1749. Since then, the works of important scholars such as Mariano Cubi y Soler have provided the foundation for the success of the Spanish language in the United States. Today, the Spanish language is thriving in the U.S. and is considered the foreign language most commonly taught. Furthermore, by the year 2050 the United States is expected to have more Spanish speakers than any other country in the world. This literature review offers a historical analysis of Spanish language instruction in the United States from its beginnings in the 18th century to the present. In addition, it offers information about the trends, methodologies, and approaches used to teach Spanish throughout the years and offers insight into possibilities for future research.