Learn and Serve America's National Service-Learning Clearinghouse

This is a service-learning course designed for preservice and in-service teachers and other students who wish to have an immersion experience in the Mexican and Honduran community. The students will have the opportunity to interact in a personal way with members of the community, thereby enriching their understanding of the culture and the language. This is a grass roots program that will be driven by the needs of the community. The course itself will be co-constructed by the students, the members of the community who are involved in the project, the curriculum planner, and the instructor. This immersion in a diverse culture will provide exposure to different perspectives in preparation for teachers working with students who represent diverse cultures in the classroom. Students will benefit from the opportunity to learn about people who might not inhabit their usual spheres. The course is taught in English, but the 30-hour community experience will include Spanish at various levels, dependent upon the proficiency level of the student. Proficiency in Spanish is not a prerequisite for being successful in the course.