Beginning Spanish ¡Empecemos por aquí!

xi Introduction Beginning Spanish ¡Empecemos por aquí! focuses on the development of communication skills in interpre- tive, interpersonal, and presentational modes while centering student voices. Activities engage learners in real exchanges of information on topics that are relevant to adult students. In addition to language-­ acquisition learning outcomes, this text supports learning outcomes in diversity, equity, inclusion, cultural sustainability, and social justice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion An elementary level of language proficiency does not prevent us from engaging in meaningful work toward goals of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. Students who work through this program have multiple opportunities to critically reflect on their own intersectional identities, multifaceted communi- ties, and cultures. Students share their own beliefs and experiences and learn from their classmates and the textbook materials. Textbook materials center student voices as well as those of underrepresented groups, including women, indigenous peoples, Spanish speakers in the US, Afrolatinxs, LGBTQ+ folks, and people with disabilities. Students develop greater self-awareness and consider social issues through lenses of race and ethnicity. Despite the limits of language at these beginning levels, students explore and discuss the impact of power inequities on marginalized groups within historical and contemporary contexts, within their own com- munities, and within Spanish-speaking communities locally, nationally, and internationally. Students con- ceptualize and discuss both systemic and individual change with attention toward racial and social justice.