Tension and Contention in Language Education for Latinxs in the United States

"This volume takes a much-needed next step in the field of Spanish as a heritage language by bringing diverse areas of language education into dialogue with each other. Martínez and Train challenge scholars and educators to frame issues related to Latinxs and language in terms of social justice. I highly recommend this book for language teacher educators and scholars of Spanish applied linguistics."

--Rachel Showstack, Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics, Wichita State University, USA

"Tension and Contention is a remarkable, highly original volume. Urgent and personal, at its core is a carefully unfolding commentary on "languageness"—in this case, a special way of naming Spanish in the U.S. that "interfaces at multiple circuits within the complexity of lived experience." Martinez and Train diligently demonstrate why we must understand Spanish-English bilingualism and Spanish language education in the U.S. as political and social institutions with fraught, if not racist histories. It is clear that a critical appraisal of Spanish language education—its history and its future—must center Latinx languageness at every turn. I’m excited for my colleagues in research and teaching to pay close attention."

--Adam Schwartz, School of Language, Culture & Society, Oregon State University