Second-Language Acquisition and Academic Service-Learning A Virtual Immersion

Second-Language Acquisition and Academic Service-Learning A Virtual Immersion Experience in Nashville, TN Elena Olazagasti-Segovia Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching - 14 November 2011

Rationale Teaching/learning styles can and must be enhanced and updated whenever possible Experiential learning results in a more personal, deeper, and long-lasting knowledge People learn a foreign language to speak with nativespeakers

Matching resources and needs VU students need to practice their language skills Community partners need bilingual services

How did I get started? Faculty Seminar (Corporation for National and Community Service) – 2000 Re-designed an existing course Spanish 202 – every semester since 2001 Designed 2 new courses – Spanish 243 – every Spring since 2002 Spanish 294 – Spring 2008

Spanish for Oral Communication (202) SLA; intermediate level; majors/minors Goals Achieve advanced oral proficiency Improve listening comprehension Increase cultural awareness Movies, tv news, web-based assignments Oral evaluations, research paper

Service-Learning Component 20 hours (2 hours every week) Critical reflection activities 2 roundtables Research paper Exit interview Reflection paper

Latino/a Immigration Experience (243) Content-based course, advanced level Elective course: literature track 4 immigrant experiences: Mexican-American, Puerto Rican, Cuban-American, Dominican. American Literary readings, movies, and documentaries 2 exams, 2 research papers, journal, reflection paper

Service-Learning Component 20 hours (2 hours every week) Critical reflection activities 3 roundtables Detailed journal 2 research papers Reflection paper

General Guidelines Students know during pre-registration [YES] Welcome/Warning e-mail Organizational meeting Task-oriented students = challenging, relevant, and meaningful tasks

Community Needs Education Tutoring ELL classes Mentoring Cultural exchange Translation and interpretation

Community Partners -Education Pencil Foundation Nashville Adult Literacy Council Conexión Américas The Bridge & Rosetta Stone (at St. Edward’s) Hermanitas Project S. H. A. R. E. (Haywood Elementary School) Caring for Children (DCS) Hispanic Salvation Army

Community Partners (cont. ) St. Luke’s Community House ELL Program Books from Birth Catholic Charities (ELL & Plaza Comunitaria) Croft Middle School Mc. Murray Middle School Overton High School Glencliff High School

Community Partners Translation/Interpretation Siloam Family Health Center St. Thomas Clinic VU Midwifery Clinic VU Children’s Hospital (Clinic; Developmental Screening) Catholic Charities Correctional Work Center Nashville Pro Bono Program Caring for Children

Community Partners (cont. ) The YWCA (at the shelter) Room in the Inn The Campus for Human Development Woodbine Community Center

Challenges Logistics = transportation Safety Driving to and from the sites Location Academic issues = integrating the service into the class Relevant and meaningful tasks Time to make connections = “the hyphen in service-learning” (J. Eyler)

Securing placements = relevant and meaningful tasks Site coordinator Achievement scores Referrals from teachers Requests from parents Interview prospective tutees Survey locations Call the parents Parents and tutors’ meeting Expect to be on call 24/7!!

Outcomes - VU students Class participation (quantity and quality) Self-awareness of the process of SLA Application of communication strategies to negotiate meaning Real “sink or swim” immersion experience “Cultural learning” (William Tierney: “the development of, and engagement in dialogues of support and understanding across differences”)

Outcomes Personal growth: confidence and self-esteem; sense of co-accountability; problem-solving skills; bonding with fellow classmates Career-changing experience Study-abroad options

Outcomes - Partners Academic level: grades and attitude long-term goals social behavior Non-academic level: new braces; glasses visit to an audiologist set up computer equipment cultural exchange (VU games ~ quinceañera)

202 - Comments Engaging, helpful, excellent Amazing, amazing! Essential, life-changing, demanding Interesting, wonderful, different Rewarding, helpful, incredible Hands on, fulfilling, time-consuming Exciting, rewarding, challenging Enlightening, exciting, fun! Integral, eye-opening, fascinating

More comments - 202 Eye-opening, useful and rewarding Gratifying, unique, impactful Engaging, thought-provoking, challenging/ uncomfortable (in a good way, stretching the limits of your comfort zone in Spanish)

243 - Comments Practical, applicable, eye-opening Eye-opening, unforgettable, meaningful Edifying, life-changing, cool Memorable, important, fun Eye-opening, time-consuming, worth it Rewarding, helpful, time-consuming Enlightening, enriching, beneficial Hands-on, necessary, reverse-stereotypes

More comments - 243 Amazing, helpful, a treasure! Long, helpful in giving human perspective, enriching Eye-opening, time worthy, fulfilling Enlightening, sometimes discouraging, rewarding Enriching, enlightening, essential Necessary, transformative, fun Integral. Enlightening. Necessary. Integrative, grounding, motivational Enlightening, engaging, fulfilling

Letter Bingo – Haywood ES

One-on-one Tutorials - HES

Reading Comprehension - HES

After-school Homework Program - HES

ELL Adult Evening Classes - HES

Special Presentation Teenage Pregnancies

Mentoring Mc. Murray MS

End-of-the-semester Celebration Mc. MMS

End-of-the-semester Celebration Mc. MMS

Tutors and Tutees

Tutors and Tutees