Andrés A. García is a PhD candidate in the Applied Linguistics and Language Education program in the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership. His research interests include second language acquisition and the educational experiences of heritage language learners (HLLs), English language learners (ELLs), and immigrant students.  Currently, however, he is focused on the subject of his dissertation, which will explore how the life experiences of HLLs who become teachers of their own heritage languages affect their pedagogical practices.

While at UMD, Andrés has greatly enjoyed teaching and TAing multiple courses that have enriched and expanded his academic interests, including courses in second language acquisition, grammar pedagogy, TESOL methods, and issues in the education of ELLs.  He has also conducted research with his advisor, Dr. Melinda Martin-Beltrán, as part of her Immigrant Students' Stories project.

Prior to pursuing his doctorate, Andrés worked for three years as a Spanish Language and Culture Instructor (LCI) at the Foreign Service Institute in Arlington, VA, where he taught State Deparment personnel preparing for posts in Latin America, Spain, and Equatorial Guinea.  In addition, he has worked on-and-off as an ESL teacher for adult immigrant students in the Arlington Education and Employment Program (REEP).  Andrés has a B.A. in Linguistics and History and an M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education, both from Georgetown University.