Our Why
Heritage language loss occurs when someone raised in a household where a minority language is spoken shifts from using that language as their primary form of communication to adopting the majority language. (University of California, Los Angeles 2001)
At Charla Collective, we are dedicated to reversing this trend—empowering the next generation to proudly speak and embrace their heritage language.
Saludos, I’m Beatriz—a heritage Spanish speaker born to Puerto Rican parents, and the mamá of Gabriel (5) and Camila (1). As a former Spanish teacher, I thought raising my children bilingually would be a straightforward journey. I quickly learned I was wrong. As a working mother, I faced many challenges in providing my kids with a bilingual and bicultural early childhood experience.
Through conversations with other Latino parents, I realized I wasn’t alone in my struggles. This sparked a passion within me to create something meaningful that would address this need in our community—and Charla Collective was born.
Bienvenidos.
Meet the Owner
Personal Impact on my Family
When I opened Charla Collective, my son Gabriel was three, going on four. Since then, I’ve watched his Spanish fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary flourish in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
Through his experience in our daycare, he now sees Spanish as more than just the language Mami speaks at home. He actively chooses to speak Spanish with his grandparents, values both languages equally, and adapts his language based on his audience, instead of expecting others to adapt to him.
He’s also become excited to hear Spanish in our community and looks forward to his trips to Puerto Rico with an eagerness that reflects the deep connection he’s forming with his heritage.
My dream is to be able to facilitate a similar journey for your family and children—helping them grow into confident bilingual and bicultural individuals.
