Spanish for heritage speakers

If you grew up hearing, speaking or understanding Spanish at home, with family or in your community, the Spanish Heritage Language Program at the University of Nevada, Reno is designed for you. At the University, we value multilingualism and cultural knowledge. Our Heritage Spanish courses help students strengthen their language skills, connect academic learning with lived experience and prepare for success across disciplines and careers.

Who are Spanish heritage language learners?

Spanish heritage language learners are students who were raised in homes where Spanish was spoken and who speak, understand or maintain a strong cultural connection to the language. Heritage learners are typically bilingual in English and Spanish to varying degrees. This nationally recognized definition (Valdés, 2000) reflects the University's commitment to recognizing students' linguistic backgrounds as assets that enrich our campus community.

Is the Spanish Heritage Language Program right for you?

You may be a Spanish heritage language learner if one or more of the following apply to you:

• Spanish was spoken in my home growing up
• Spanish was my first language
• I lived in a Spanish-speaking country for two years or more
• I speak Spanish, or Spanish and English, with family or friends
• My parents and/or grandparents frequently speak to me in Spanish
• I can understand the main ideas of a conversation in Spanish due to community exposure
• Spanish is an important part of my culture or identity

Contact the Spanish Heritage Language Program advisor and mentor to discuss placement and course options: Roberto Ortiz (ortizr@unr.edu)

Spanish degrees at the University of Nevada, Reno

The University offers several minors, majors, dual degrees and master's degrees with a specialization in Spanish to provide students with Spanish language skills, including reading, writing and cultural understanding.

View all Spanish degrees

Add Spanish as a second major

Many students are surprised to learn how easy it is to add Spanish as a second major and graduate with two majors. Because of the structured 30-credit curriculum and the way Spanish courses complement a wide range of fields, students frequently pair Spanish with majors such as education, healthcare, social work, business, journalism, political science and more.

Advisors in the Department of World Languages and Literatures work closely with students to help them plan efficiently and make the most of their coursework.

Why double major in Spanish?

Adding Spanish as a second major is a smart and practical way to expand your academic profile and strengthen your career readiness. At the University, many students successfully graduate with two majors by pairing Spanish with fields across the university.

Key benefits include:

• Career advantage: Bilingual and multilingual professionals are in high demand. A double major in Spanish prepares students for careers in healthcare, education, social services, law, public administration, business, journalism and community engagement.
• Efficient pathway: The Spanish major and Spanish for the Professions major are structured, 30-credit programs that are easy to integrate with many other majors. With thoughtful advising, students can often complete both majors without extending time to graduation.
• Applied skills across disciplines: Spanish complements majors in education, nursing, public health, social work, criminal justice, political science and more by providing real-world communication skills and cultural competence.
• Enhanced graduate school preparation: A double major demonstrates academic rigor, advanced language proficiency and cross-disciplinary thinking - qualities valued by graduate and professional programs.
• Community and global engagement: Spanish majors develop the ability to engage meaningfully with diverse communities in Nevada and beyond, supporting the University's mission of public service and civic engagement.
• Personal and cultural growth: For heritage speakers, a Spanish double major allows students to deepen their linguistic skills, connect academic learning to lived experience and affirm cultural identity in an academic setting.

Spanish Heritage Language Courses at the University of Nevada, Reno

• SPAN 226 - Spanish for Heritage Speakers I: Builds on existing language skills through reading, writing and cultural analysis.
• SPAN 227 - Spanish for Heritage Speakers II: Fulfills the Core Humanities foreign language requirement and serves as the first course counting toward the Spanish minor.
• SPAN 307 - Writing for Spanish Heritage Speakers: First course counting toward the Spanish major, with an emphasis on advanced academic and professional writing in Spanish.

Program learning goals

Through the Spanish Heritage Language Program, students will:

• Develop awareness of the diversity of Spanish dialects
• Strengthen Spanish proficiency in both formal and informal contexts
• Expand skills in vocabulary, grammar, spelling, punctuation, critical reading and academic and professional writing.
• Appreciate bilingualism and its value in academic, civic and professional environments
• Explore cultural connections between Hispanic communities in the United States and the broader Spanish-speaking world

These courses align with the University's mission to support student success through inclusive, high-impact educational experiences.

Start where you belong

Your Spanish is part of your story. At the University of Nevada, Reno, we help you develop it, refine it and use it with confidence in the classroom, the community and your future career. Contact Roberto Ortiz (ortizr@unr.edu) to learn more or to determine the best course placement.