Advancing Excellence in Heritage Spanish Education: Isabella & Ferdinand® Participates in the Instituto Cervantes of New York Conference

Isabella & Ferdinand® Academia de Español™ participates in the 4th Conference on the Teaching of Spanish for Heritage Speakers (4ª Jornada sobre la Enseñanza del Español para Hablantes de Herencia) at the Instituto Cervantes of New York

In October 2025, representatives from Isabella & Ferdinand® Academia de Español™ participated in the 4th Conference on the Teaching of Spanish for Heritage Speakers (4ª Jornada sobre la Enseñanza del Español para Hablantes de Herencia), organized by the Instituto Cervantes of New York in collaboration with Fairfield University, Columbia University, and City College of New York.

The conference, held under the theme “Social Justice: Equitable Access of Minorities to Bilingual Education” (Justicia social: acceso equitativo de las minorías a la educación bilingüe), brought together leading scholars, researchers, and educators committed to promoting inclusion and equity in the teaching of Spanish as a heritage language.

Maira Abasto, Academic Director, and Susana Paredes, DELE Coordinator, attended the event alongside a group of Isabella & Ferdinand® teachers, as part of the Academy’s ongoing efforts to promote professional development and pedagogical excellence among its faculty.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in keynote lectures and workshops led by renowned experts, including Dr. María Luisa Parra (Harvard University) and Dr. María Carreira (California State University), who explored practical approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion in Spanish-language instruction. The conference also featured specialized sessions led by Alejandro Acero (University of Oregon), Ivette Dobarganes (Stephen T. Mather Building Arts & Craftsmanship High School), and Beatriz Uzal (Instituto Cervantes of Los Angeles).

This participation reinforces Isabella & Ferdinand®’s institutional commitment to fostering continuous learning, intercultural dialogue, and innovation in bilingual education. It also strengthens the Academy’s collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes, the global authority in Spanish language and culture.

At Isabella & Ferdinand®, professional development represents a cornerstone of educational excellence and a bridge to connect our educators with the broader academic community devoted to advancing Spanish-language teaching in multicultural contexts.