Photo of Anna smiling
Assistant Professor of Spanish
Education

Ph.D. in Spanish Linguistics, Arizona State University

M.A. in World Language Education, Boston University

M.A. in Spanish Literature and Cultural Studies, University of Illinois

B.A. in Comparative Literature, Universidad de Puerto Rico

Research

Heritage Language Research and Pedagogy; Teacher Development; Heritage Language Literacy Development; Action Research; Critical Language Awareness

Bio

Anna Marrero Rivera is an Assistant Professor of Spanish Linguistics at the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she earned her Ph.D. in Spanish Linguistics from Arizona State University, specializing in Spanish heritage language pedagogy and sociolinguistics. Professor Marrero Rivera's research focuses on applied linguistics, with a particular emphasis on identifying effective pedagogical and programmatic strategies aimed at enhancing the educational experiences of underrepresented and underserved learners and their teachers, with the goal of improving learning outcomes. With over a decade of experience teaching Spanish language and linguistics courses at both secondary and post-secondary levels, she aims to create a classroom environment that fosters critical language awareness, promotes learner agency, and inspires social change. In her free time, Professor Marrero Rivera enjoys hiking, reading, and traveling.

Selected Publications

Beaudrie, S. M., & Marrero-Rivera, A. (2024). Research on university-based Spanish heritage language programs in the United States: The state of affairs in 2022. Foreign Language Annals, 57, 10–26. https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12741 

Marrero-Rivera, A. (2021) Heritage language students and the Advanced Placement Spanish Literature and Culture Exam: Teachers' perspectives. Spanish and Portuguese Review, (7), 39-53.