EIU Department of
World Languages and Cultures

Spanish in the Community

Spanish in the Community

In World Languages, we highly value the “Community” component of the five teaching standards defined by the American Council on the Teaching of World Languages.  Our students earn credit through guided and reflective service learning projects and internships.  Many also choose to volunteer alongside others who speak Spanish, or serve Spanish-speaking populations.

Service Learning in FLS 2291G and FLS 2292G

As part of their curriculum, honors students in Intermediate Spanish I and II help new arrivals to the Charleston community with basic English language and survival skills in the well established program Amigos and Friends.  Many of the “amigos” speak Spanish, and some of them speak one of the dozens of indigenous languages from Central America.  Students from both honors and regular language classes choose to continue volunteering in future semesters.

Service Learning Projects

Students may also have the opportunity to complete short-term service-based learning as part of their regular coursework. This year, students in the advanced Spanish grammar course (FLS 3000) will combine what they are learning in their unit on human rights and the subjunctive in noun clauses to build and educate the community with an “ofrenda” for the celebration of Día de los Muertos sponsored by a student organization.

Internships

Advanced students with excellent proficiency may do internships that allow them to use their language skills in professional situations. 

Alison, for example, recently combined skills from her Spanish and Music majors to interpret during a concert, master classes, and a local middle school visit by Colombian music group Herencia de Timbiquí.

Students who have completed FLS 2202G (or equivalent) can earn 3 credits teaching our... 

After-School Spanish Enrichment for Elementary School Students