¿Se dice? Spanish teachers’ use of US varieties of Spanish in the classroom

This study investigates midwestern high school Spanish teachers’ familiarity with US varieties of Spanish. Drawing on survey responses from 37 Ohio teachers, the study investigated teachers’ familiarity with linguistic characteristics common in US varieties of Spanish as well as what varieties of Spanish they include in their classrooms. Results indicate that while teachers recognize generalized characteristics of standard Spanish and Peninsular Spanish, they are less familiar with traits common in bilingual US varieties of Spanish. Classroom practices reflect this bias, with Peninsular features like vosotros receiving more attention than the more widely used voseo . These findings highlight systemic gaps in teacher preparation and underscore the need for pedagogical training that incorporates local, heritage varieties of Spanish. Equipping teachers with this sociolinguistic knowledge will better serve both heritage and second language learners, validating students’ linguistic practices, strengthening community connections and enabling students and teachers alike to interact with local US communities of Spanish speakers.