Northern Kentucky University
Service Learning in the Spanish Classroom: Two Approaches
Institution
Northern Kentucky University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Kajsa Larson
Abstract
This study examined two ways in which service learning and student philanthropy have been incorporated into the Spanish classroom at the advanced level. The purpose of this research was to assess the impact that two service activities had on students’ professional development and their oral and written skills in Spanish. First, students enrolled in Spanish Composition & Conversation completed volunteer work with Santa Maria Community Services of Cincinnati, wrote reflection papers in the target language about their experiences, and gave a presentation to the class in Spanish. As a second approach, students in an advanced topics course, Hispanic Women Writers, received $2,000 in grant money from NKU’s Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project and decided how best to award local nonprofits that serve women, including Hispanics. The results of an (IRB approved) anonymous student survey from both classes confirmed our hypothesis that service learning and philanthropy greatly enhanced students’ professional growth by making them more aware of the needs of Hispanics living in the United States and the Northern Kentucky area. It also refined their problem-solving skills, and empowered them to seek both future career and volunteer opportunities that require Spanish. The follow-up with oral and written class reports improved their language skills. To conclude, there are numerous benefits of incorporating volunteerism in the classroom, showing students the practical applications of their language studies in a real world setting.
Service Learning in the Spanish Classroom: Two Approaches
This study examined two ways in which service learning and student philanthropy have been incorporated into the Spanish classroom at the advanced level. The purpose of this research was to assess the impact that two service activities had on students’ professional development and their oral and written skills in Spanish. First, students enrolled in Spanish Composition & Conversation completed volunteer work with Santa Maria Community Services of Cincinnati, wrote reflection papers in the target language about their experiences, and gave a presentation to the class in Spanish. As a second approach, students in an advanced topics course, Hispanic Women Writers, received $2,000 in grant money from NKU’s Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project and decided how best to award local nonprofits that serve women, including Hispanics. The results of an (IRB approved) anonymous student survey from both classes confirmed our hypothesis that service learning and philanthropy greatly enhanced students’ professional growth by making them more aware of the needs of Hispanics living in the United States and the Northern Kentucky area. It also refined their problem-solving skills, and empowered them to seek both future career and volunteer opportunities that require Spanish. The follow-up with oral and written class reports improved their language skills. To conclude, there are numerous benefits of incorporating volunteerism in the classroom, showing students the practical applications of their language studies in a real world setting.