American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese ( AATSP )

1. American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese(AATSP) Ana Sánchez-Muñoz, PhD. Professor of Linguistics, Chicana/o Studies, California State University, Northridge & President of AATSP, Southern California Chapter (AATSP/So-Cal)

2. What is the AATSP? • MISSION: “Promote the study and teaching of Hispanic, Luso-Brazilian, and other related languages, literatures, and cultures at all educational levels. Through an exchange of pedagogical and scholarly information, the AATSP encourages heritage and second-language study and supports projects to that end.” • The AATSP is the largest professional organization devoted to the teaching, learning, development of the Spanish and Portuguese Languages and Cultures. 1st Seminar for Returning American Language Assistants

3. History of the AATSP • American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguesewas founded 29 December 1917 in NYC as the American Association of Teachers of Spanish. • In 1944, Portuguese was added to the association’s mission • The AATSP was the first association in the United States devoted to the study of a specific modern foreign language • Over 70 local chapters of the AATSPexist in the United States and Canada. 1st Seminar for Returning American Language Assistants

4. More on the AATSP • An Annual Meeting has been held each year since 1917 • Meetings are held each year in a different place of the Spanish or Portuguese speaking world (alternating the US and another country; This last summer the Annual Meeting was in Guadalajara, Mexico) • Various auxiliaries have been founded throughout the history of the AATSP; Examples: • The Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica(1952) • Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad (2001) • The AATSP was a founding member of the Joint National Committee for Languages and the National Council for Language and International Studies (NCLIS) • NCLIS lobbies for languages at the national level. 1st Seminar for Returning American Language Assistants

5. Programs and Services AATSP • AATSP provides a wide variety of programs and services for its members. Read more @: http://www.aatsp.org/?page=progservsummary • Joining the AATSP has many benefits…. Some examples: • Annual Conference • Classroom Resources (downloadable, free) • Hispania Journal • Enlace Online Newsletter • The Portuguese Newsletter • Career Center Online Job Postings –listing of available faculty teaching positions Chapters at the local/state level • National Spanish Examinations (NSE) 1st Seminar for Returning American Language Assistants

6. Southern California Chapter • The AATSP/So-Cal is one of the most active chapters of the AATSP • It serves as an important networking forum and support group for teachers, students, and researchers of Spanish and Portuguese in Southern California • Sharing of teaching resources, exchanging ideas, finding advice, and form long lasting professional and personal relationships • AATSP/So-Cal has Meetings every semester: Once in the Fall once in the Spring. • Meetings feature quality presentations and workshops 1st Seminar for Returning American Language Assistants

7. You are invited!! NEXT MEETING of the AATSP/So-Cal: October 30, 2010 at Occidental College, Los Angeles 1st Seminar for Returning American Language Assistants

8. How to join • How to join: • Membership is through the National AATSP, which can be easily joined and renewed online: http://www.aatsp.org/general/register_member_type.asp? 1st Seminar for Returning American Language Assistants

9. Where to find out more • National AATSP: http://www.aatsp.org/ • AATSP/Southern California Chapter: http://sites.google.com/site/aatspsocal/ • Or contact me: Dr. Ana Sánchez-Muñoz ana.sanchezmunoz@csun.edu 1st Seminar for Returning American Language Assistants