Service learning in Spanish for the health professions: Heritage language learners’ competence in action

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 529-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavia Belpoliti ◽  
María E. Pérez
Keyword(s):  
Service Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Heritage Language ◽  
Health Professions ◽  
Heritage Language Learners

The Sociolinguistic Impact of Service-learning on Heritage Learners Sojourning in Spain

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-98
Author(s):  
Francisco Salgado-Robles ◽  
Angela George
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Heritage Language ◽  
Local Features ◽  
Heritage Language Learners ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Experimental Group

Over the past three decades, a considerable number of studies have investigated the connection between study abroad and second language acquisition to the exclusion of another emerging language profile, that of heritage language learners who study abroad to enhance their home language skills. The few studies on heritage language learners’ development of local features abroad have focused on phonological ones, concluding that more in-depth exposure to the varieties abroad was related to increased production of the local features (Escalante, 2018; George & Hoffman-González, in press). Research on the effects of international service learning have also been limited to second language learners, demonstrating increased second language use and proficiency (Martinsen, Baker, Dewey, Bown, & Johnson, 2010) along with the development of geographically-variable patterns of use (Salgado-Robles, 2018). The current study combines these two fields and investigates the development of a variable local feature (vosotros versus ustedes) by 20 U.S. Spanish-speaking heritage language learners of Mexican descent studying abroad for four months in Spain. The experimental group (N = 10) participated in a service learning course in addition to traditional coursework, while the control group (N = 10) completed traditional coursework and no service learning course. The results of the Oral Discourse Completion Task demonstrated that all participants significantly increased their use of vosotros from the beginning to the end of the semester; however, the change by the experimental group was two times higher than the control group. This could be explained by the results of the Language Contact Profile, which revealed more use of Spanish and less use of English by participants in the experimental group. This study offers implications for future study abroad programs, the linguistic impacts of service-learning, and the development of sociolinguistic competence.

Who Needs Linguistics? Service-Learning and Linguistics for Spanish Heritage Language Learners

Hispania ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 348-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amàlia Llombart-Huesca ◽  
Alejandra Pulido
Keyword(s):  
Service Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Heritage Language ◽  
Heritage Language Learners ◽  
And Linguistics

Service-Learning, an Integral Part of Heritage Language Education: A Case Study of an Advanced-level Korean Language Class

2016 ◽  
pp. 354-381
Author(s):  
Soyeon , Kim ◽  
Sung-Ock Sohn
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Heritage Language ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Heritage Language Learners ◽  
Korean Language ◽  
Heritage Language Education ◽  
Language Class

While a growing body of literature testifies to the effects of service-learning in language education, little empirical research has examined the implementation of service-learning courses in minority heritage languages. This chapter discusses the first implementation and effects of Korean service-learning course for Korean heritage language learners at an institution of higher education. Participants engaged in service activities at one of four community sites with different missions. By analyzing students’ post-service surveys and course assignments, as well as the community partners’ post-service surveys, we were able to demonstrate the effectiveness and benefits of the service-learning course for Korean heritage language students. Conducting service-learning at authentic work contexts in Koreatown in Los Angeles was found to enhance the language learners’ linguistic and socio-cultural awareness and develop their social responsibility and sense of kinship in a multicultural and multilingual metropolitan area such as Los Angeles. Moreover, by working on projects requiring Korean language skills, Korean heritage language learners developed their academic-professional proficiency, such as the use of formal speech styles, and realized other linguistic subtleties in Korean. The results from this study contribute to the current body of work on service-learning by adding a perspective from a population that has barely been represented in previous research.

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