Observatory of Spanish in Europe
Observatory of Spanish in Europe | OSE
The Observatory of Spanish in Europe is a research center founded in 2023 at Heidelberg Center for Ibero-American Studies (HCIAS), Heidelberg University. Its main goal is to offer data that can help tackle the emerging trends related to Spanish and its speakers in Europe.
El español como lengua de herencia en Europa
¿Eres de origen hispanohablante y has emigrado a un país europeo?
¿Tienes un/a hijo/a menor de edad?
¿Quieres ayudarnos a conocer la realidad del español como lengua de herencia en Europa?
¡Participa en nuestra encuesta!
News
Meeting between the Observatory of Spanish in Europe (OSE) and the Leibniz Institute for the German Language (IDS)
On May 19, 2026, a meeting between the Observatory of Spanish in Europe and the Leibniz Institute for the German Language took place at the Institute for Translating and Interpreting (IÜD), with the aim of strengthening academic collaboration between both institutions. The exchange focused on the study of heritage languages and multilingualism in Europe, with particular attention to the German context, promoting interdisciplinary dialogue, joint research, and knowledge exchange. Participants included researchers Dr. Astrid Adler, Dr. Albrecht Plewnia, Dr. Heiko Marten, Dr. Charlotte Blattner and Dr. Pilar Valero.
Publication: "Family language policies, educational dynamics and Spanish as a heritage language in Germany"
On May 15, 2026, the article “Family language policies, educational dynamics and Spanish as a heritage language in Germany” was published in the Journal of Spanish Language Teaching, co-authored by Dr. Pilar Valero, Prof. Dr. Óscar Loureda and Dr. Charlotte Blattner. The study examines how family practices, linguistic environments, and educational opportunities contribute to the maintenance of Spanish as a heritage language in Germany.
Read the article here.
Prof. Óscar Loureda and Dr. Pilar Valero delivered the seminar "BIP: Gramática contrastiva: lenguas eslavas occidentales – español"
On April 20, 2026, Prof. Dr. Óscar Loureda and Dr. Pilar Valero delivered the seminar “El español en Europa” as part of the conference “BIP: Gramática contrastiva: lenguas eslavas occidentales – español,” hosted by the University of Szczecin (Poland) from April 20 to 24.
Dr. Charlotte Blattner delivered the presentation "Entre generaciones: La familia como núcleo de la transmisión del español como lengua de herencia en Alemania"
On April 16, 2026, Dr. Charlotte Blattner delivered the presentation “Entre generaciones: La familia como núcleo de la transmisión del español como lengua de herencia en Alemania” at the University of Göttingen as part of the “Foro de Investigación Doctoral de Español como Lengua de Herencia.” Based on a mixed-methods design, the study examined family language policy and showed how sociodemographic factors, parental ideologies, and everyday language practices shape the continuity of Spanish.
Recent publications
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Awarded the first Prize for International Hispanism
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