Theoretical Underpinnings and Practical Applications: Spanish for the Professions in the United States

• In Event: Theory and Practice: Spanish for Specific Purposes (for the professions) in the United States

Abstract

As is already known the field of teaching and research of language for specific purposes in the United States is relatively new. Stemming from the area of English for specific purposes, language (and culture) for specific purposes in the United States has taken a variety of variables and applications. As pertinent research (Uber Grosse, Geoffrey Voght, Mary Long, Izabella Uscinski, Barbara Lafford, among others) has consistently shown, it was not until the 1980s that, in the United States, this discipline started to see new and horizons of promising and sound teaching and research, mostly on aural and written discourse and methodologies on learning activities from professional content areas such as business, engineering, medicine, and education, among others. In one way or another, directly or indirectly, since then the teachings and research have reflected the rationale that has been identified and developed by scholars; some of this include the need to diversify and/or to expand the field of foreign language study, the need to prepare students for a variety of careers with second language proficiency, the importance of infusing professional education with humanistic perspectives and the revitalization of the education system in response to new global realities. Thus, by 1985, in response to new demands, following the teaching/research advances and these general principles of the rationale, some colleges and universities were already offering courses with this type of focus. The 1990s and 2000’s, perhaps responding to the impact of globalization on education, saw a significant and international increase both in LSP teaching and research. And, subsequently, the specific area of Spanish was no exception. This paper/presentation will focus on salient theoretical contributions in the area of Spanish for Specific purposes in the United States and will provide an example of the creation and implementation of a Spanish for the professions course offered at Arizona State University, downtown campus.

Author

• Eduardo Alfonso Caro Meléndez, Arizona State University