Transforming the community’s linguistic landscape in a mixed-learner service learning capstone course in a Spanish for specific purposes program

Authors

  • Lourdes Sánchez-López University of Alabama at Birmingham

Keywords:

Spanish for specific purposes and the professions, community service learning, needs analysis, heritage language learning, team-based learning

Abstract

This article explores an ecological approach to language teaching and learning and service-learning (van Lier, 1997; Tocaimaza-Hatch & Walls, 2017) for the advanced mixed second language learner and heritage language learner classroom, in particular for Spanish for specific purposes in higher education in the United States (King de Ramírez, 2017). A new mixed learner capstone course for an Applied Professional Spanish major concentration focused on the transformation of the community’s linguistic landscape (Landry & Bourhis, 1997), uses community service learning linked to the professional interests of students (Sánchez-López, 2013a, 2013b; King de Ramírez, 2017; Abbott & Martínez, 2018) to advance in their development of multiliteracy, intercultural competence, leadership skills, and social responsibility. To meet course goals, heritage and second language learners work as a team in close collaboration with community partners, to explore and transform the community’s linguistic landscape in order to make public spaces more accessible, inclusive and welcoming to the Spanish-speaking community. The article offers a description of the pilot linguistic landscape project, which served as needs analysis to inform the development of the new capstone course, and its preliminary pedagogical implications.

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Published

2019-12-05

How to Cite

Sánchez-López, L. (2019). Transforming the community’s linguistic landscape in a mixed-learner service learning capstone course in a Spanish for specific purposes program. Revista Signos. Estudios De Lingüística, 52(101). Retrieved from https://revistasignos.cl/index.php/signos/article/view/398

Issue

Vol. 52 No. 101 (2019): December

Section

Monographic Section Articles

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