Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-28-2022
Abstract
In the last few decades, service learning (SL) has emerged as an instructional model that facilitates connections between learning experiences in and outside the classroom, and highlights the socio-political nature of language use (Grim, 2010; Bettencourt, 2015; Moreno-López et. al, 2017). However, its effective and relevant curricular implementation remains a challenge for educators. This exploratory paper examines how SL impacts advanced learners’ beliefs, attitudes, and motivation towards learning Spanish, as well as their ability to connect their service experiences with course content. Findings show that learners evaluate service experiences through a proficiency-based lens, where the success of their experiences depended on the amount of Spanish used and perceived improvements in proficiency. Additionally, while participants were frequently able to connect their SL experiences with course content, they did not necessarily recognize those learning moments as beneficial.
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1587-6403 Recommended Citation
Ali, F. (2022). “It’s Not Just About Improving my Spanish.” Student Perceptions of Service Learning. Cuadernos de Lingüística Hispánica, (39), e13874 https://doi.org/10.19053/0121053X.n39.2022.13874
Included in
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Spanish and Portuguese Language and Literature Commons
Comments
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.