Service Learning
through the Foreign Languages & Literature Department
Service learning is a educational experience in which students participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility. Unlike extracurricular voluntary service, service learning is a course-based service experience that produces the best outcomes when meaningful service activities are related to course material through reflection activities such as directed writings, small group discussions, and class presentations. Unlike practice and internships, the experiential activity in a service learning course is not necessarily skill-based within the context of professional education (Bringle & Hatcher, 1996).
SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS:
Leader: Dr. Claudia Salcedo
Location: Louisiana
Courses: Spanish 310
-The students were engaged in several service learning at several locations. Some students taught English to various different groups of Spanish speakers in exchange for Spanish conversation practice, others translated and assisted a new Dual Language School program in Livingston, others volunteered at the Migrant Head Start school, and others volunteered at nursing homes and hospitals to assist Spanish speaking patients.
Fall 2008
Leader: Dr. Claudia Salcedo
Location: Louisiana
Courses: FLAN 441, Spanish 403
-A team of three SLU students along with faculty from SLU and LSU helped construct a church and clear roads in rural Ecuador. Students were enrolled in reading and internship courses.
Study Abroad, Summer 2007
Leader: Dr. Claudia Salcedo
Location: Costa Rica
Courses: Spanish 403, Spanish 324
-The students of the study abroad program in San José, Costa Rica were sent to help students at the university lab school through the University of Costa Rica's student volunteer department.
Study Abroad, Summer 2005 & 2006
Leader: Dr. Claudia Salcedo
Location: Louisiana
Courses: FLAN 305
-Students of the department's Spanish for Nursing class translated for parents and hispanic community members who came to the Migrant Head Start Health Fair, Spring 2005 & 2006.
Leader: Dr. Stuart Stewart
Location: Louisiana
Courses: Spanish 303, Spanish 319
-Service-Learning at a Baton Rouge church to give English lessons to the local Hispanics members. Dr. Stewart reports that these adults are extremely anxious to learn English because they see how important it is in order to advance/ jump-start their careers.
Fall 2005
Leader: Dr. Stuart Stewart
Location: Louisiana
Courses: Spanish 303, Spanish 319
-Students taught at Migrant Head Start and Independence Middle School.
Leader: Dr. Javaherian & Marta Gumpert
Location: Louisiana
Courses: FLAN 403
-Student teaching at the SLU Head Start and Lab School, Fall 2005.
Leader: Dr. Javaherian, Marta Gumpert, & Mariela Sánchez
Location: Louisiana
Courses: FLAN 403
--Student teaching at the SLU Head Start and Lab School, Fall 2004 and Spring 2005
Leader: Dr. Bornier, Dr. Marshall and Dr. Kolb
Location: Louisiana
Courses: FLAN 403
-A service learning project that began by teaching French at Midway Elementary and expanded to Martha's Vinyard and Albany High, Fall 2004, Spring 2005, and Fall 2005.