When I began writing Between Two Worlds, I didn’t set out merely to tell a story. I was searching for meaning in something I had been witnessing for years—something not only literary, but deeply human and often painful.
Before I came to the United States, I was born and raised in Chile. I also lived in Spain for nearly a year, and I had the privilege of traveling throughout Latin America and Europe. In all those places, the value of speaking multiple languages was never questioned. People wanted to learn languages—English, French, German—because it was seen as an asset, a pathway to growth, opportunity, and cultural connection.
Language serves as more than a tool for communication; it is a carrier of culture, history, and worldview. As World Language educators, we bear the responsibility of teaching not just grammar and vocabulary but also the cultural contexts that breathe life into the language. This is especially important when considering that for many Hispanic students and communities, Catholicism is a significant aspect of their cultural heritage. How, then, can religious content be incorporated into a world language curriculum?
Raising bilingual and bicultural children in the United States is often misunderstood. What many see as a “problem” with English proficiency is, in fact, a natural part of growing up multilingual. Yet, pressure from schools, daycare, and society can turn language into a source of stress, shame, and cultural loss.