AATSP Releases Statement on Teaching Inclusive Spanish and Portuguese
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
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Posted by: Patrick Hauth
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) is committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive learning environment for all learners of Spanish and Portuguese from PreK-12 through higher education. The teaching, learning, and use of gender-inclusive language is one way in which inclusivity is accomplished for all.
The inclusion of all learners reflects practical Spanish and Portuguese used in everyday communication by native and non-native speakers in the United States and beyond. All learning environments (e.g., traditional classrooms, online classes) should be safe places of open inquiry and expression. Inclusion promotes mutual respect between people from all backgrounds and recognizes the rights of diverse individuals, families, and communities.
The AATSP opposes the elimination or silencing of any marginalized language learner or group of learners. The AATSP will take steps to educate those that have excluded certain groups via policy or mandate to restrict inclusive language practices. The AATSP is aligned with other educational organizations such as the American Portuguese Studies Association (APSA), College Board (CB), International Baccalaureate (IB), Modern Language Association (MLA), National Honor Society (NHS), North American Academy of the Spanish Language (ANLE), and others in their pursuit of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
(Approved by the AATSP Board of Directors, February 21, 2022)
The AATSP encourages sharing of this statement, please download the PDF here.
The AATSP has plans to implement the above statement with a webinar on inclusivity and the development of a toolkit for teachers.
AATSP’s Profile
Founded in 1917, the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) is the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive language-specific professional association in the United States. Our nearly 10,000 members are educators from PreK-12 through graduate school who endorse our mission to promote, develop, and advance the teaching of Hispanic, Luso-Brazilian, and related languages and cultures worldwide. Along with the association’s other programs, publications, and projects, the AATSP awards scholarships to outstanding teachers and students annually. The AATSP is a 501(c)(3).
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