Innovation in Language Learning
Argentina through History and Culture: Expanding Access to Spanish Language Learning
Carlos F. Tapia, Saint Peter’s University (United States)
Abstract
In response to a growing reluctance among U.S. college students to enroll in foreign language courses, the Department of Modern & Classical Languages & Literatures at Saint Peter’s University developed a series of content-based courses designed to attract students who might otherwise avoid foreign language study. One of the most successful of these offerings is a course on the history and culture of Argentina, which has consistently generated strong enrollment and sustained student interest. This presentation examines the development and impact of the course as a gateway to language and cultural learning. Through an interdisciplinary exploration of Argentina’s history, society, and cultural production, students engage with topics ranging from immigration and nation-building to political change, human rights movements, literature, film, music, sports, and popular culture. Students are regularly exposed to Spanish-language texts, audiovisual materials, and cultural artifacts, allowing them to encounter the language in authentic cultural contexts. A central component of the course is a semester-long research project culminating in a class presentation. For their project, students may investigate a topic not covered in class, conduct deeper research on a subject introduced during the semester, or create an interview with a historical or contemporary Argentine figure. These projects encourage independent inquiry, research skills, critical thinking, public speaking, and creative engagement with Argentine history and culture. The course demonstrates how culturally focused content can address declining interest in foreign language study while fostering cultural literacy and meaningful exposure to Spanish. By presenting language as inseparable from history, culture, and lived experience, the course encourages students to pursue further study of Spanish and the broader Spanish-speaking world.
Keywords: Argentina; Spanish-Language Learning; Culture-Based Instruction; Intercultural Competence; Student Engagement.
REFERENCES
[1] Nouzeilles, Gabriela, and Graciela Montaldo, editors. The Argentina Reader: History, Culture, Politics. Duke University Press, 2002. ISBN 978-0-8223-2914-5.
[2] Brown, Jonathan C. A Brief History of Argentina. 2nd ed. New York: Checkmark Books, 2004. ISBN: 9780816077960.
