Cultural Internalization and Language Immersion
Students demonstrate that they have actively immersed themselves in authentic Hispanic cultural and linguistic environments and have internalized the language and cultural experiences, from which they have developed personal understanding and new perspectives of Hispanic communities.
Students develop intercultural communication skills and strategies, and learn to adapt and respond in effective ways.
Pathway 1: Study Abroad: By participating in a study-abroad program in a Spanish-speaking country for one at least summer or one semester. Classes completed in the study-abroad experience may also be counted towards another MLO.
Pathway 2: Latino Heritage Community Project: By participating in and completing a community project in a local Latino community, in the target language.
Students develop intercultural communication skills and strategies, and learn to adapt and respond in effective ways.
Pathway 1: Study Abroad: By participating in a study-abroad program in a Spanish-speaking country for one at least summer or one semester. Classes completed in the study-abroad experience may also be counted towards another MLO.
Pathway 2: Latino Heritage Community Project: By participating in and completing a community project in a local Latino community, in the target language.
Reflective Narrative
Under this criterion, I have completed the following courses: SPAN 301S: Service Learning in the Latino Community (Fall 2018) and WLC 400: World Languages and Cultures Major Capstone (Spring 2020).
One of the most essential components in language learning and development is immersion in the culture and traditions of the target community. Personally, I have been familiar with the customs of many Spanish-speaking countries throughout my life, especially those of the Mexican community from which I come. Certainly, this has contributed to a better understanding of the literary and linguistic topics of my Spanish classes. I have always believed that academic education is not successful because of a university degree, but rather to use our knowledge for the benefit of society. In this form, a person has the opportunity to contribute to the necessities of our communities, which leads to personal and professional growth. For this reason, I completed thirty hours of community service tutoring students at Hartnell College in Spanish. My Spanish sessions consisted of teaching grammar and literature with the purpose of reinforcing the students' knowledge. Personally, I felt great satisfaction in applying my Spanish language skills and knowledge in an academic setting as it served as experience for my professional career. My community service helped me transition from learning to teaching, a highly relevant shift for students like me who have the desire to dedicate to education. As for the students, I was a great help since most of them raised their grade by at least one letter. Similarly, as the former president of the Hartnell College Spanish Club, I encouraged the students to be a part of the cultural events we held during that period of time so that they could also immerse themselves in Latin American customs and help the community through our community activities. Finally, I presented "Spanish Tutoring" in my service-learning class in order to inform about what I mentioned previously.
Throughout my academic life in the United States I have interacted with many classmates who have influenced my academic and personal growth. One of these groups is adult students who demonstrate that it is never too late to achieve their dreams of obtaining an education. For this reason, I decided to focus my "Latino Heritage Community Project" on the access to education of two adult students from Salinas. After over an hour of interview I addressed the experiences that influenced their academic and personal growth in Mexico and the United States. I also conducted a comparison between the educational system in Mexico and the United States based on the participants' experiences. After gathering this information, I connected it to books and articles that we analyzed during my instance at CSUMB. Finally, I composed the research paper "Access to education" that describes the academic path of two people who have left legacy in their community: Adolfo Gonzalez and Rosa Espinoza. I appreciate their enthusiasm in sharing their life story with me, because it will inspire future generations, especially immigrants who come in search of the "American Dream".
Personally, I did not find any element of this MLO complicated because I am fascinated to apply my knowledge for the benefit of the community. I enjoyed every moment I spent with the members of the Hispanic community because they learned so much about me, but I learned even more from them. Both projects confirmed my passion to teach Spanish. One aspect that I still need to work on is exposure to other communities so that I am able to assist other sectors of the community. It is relevant to remind that education is a universal right and therefore we should not focus entirely on the ethnic groups that are part of our major.
One of the most essential components in language learning and development is immersion in the culture and traditions of the target community. Personally, I have been familiar with the customs of many Spanish-speaking countries throughout my life, especially those of the Mexican community from which I come. Certainly, this has contributed to a better understanding of the literary and linguistic topics of my Spanish classes. I have always believed that academic education is not successful because of a university degree, but rather to use our knowledge for the benefit of society. In this form, a person has the opportunity to contribute to the necessities of our communities, which leads to personal and professional growth. For this reason, I completed thirty hours of community service tutoring students at Hartnell College in Spanish. My Spanish sessions consisted of teaching grammar and literature with the purpose of reinforcing the students' knowledge. Personally, I felt great satisfaction in applying my Spanish language skills and knowledge in an academic setting as it served as experience for my professional career. My community service helped me transition from learning to teaching, a highly relevant shift for students like me who have the desire to dedicate to education. As for the students, I was a great help since most of them raised their grade by at least one letter. Similarly, as the former president of the Hartnell College Spanish Club, I encouraged the students to be a part of the cultural events we held during that period of time so that they could also immerse themselves in Latin American customs and help the community through our community activities. Finally, I presented "Spanish Tutoring" in my service-learning class in order to inform about what I mentioned previously.
Throughout my academic life in the United States I have interacted with many classmates who have influenced my academic and personal growth. One of these groups is adult students who demonstrate that it is never too late to achieve their dreams of obtaining an education. For this reason, I decided to focus my "Latino Heritage Community Project" on the access to education of two adult students from Salinas. After over an hour of interview I addressed the experiences that influenced their academic and personal growth in Mexico and the United States. I also conducted a comparison between the educational system in Mexico and the United States based on the participants' experiences. After gathering this information, I connected it to books and articles that we analyzed during my instance at CSUMB. Finally, I composed the research paper "Access to education" that describes the academic path of two people who have left legacy in their community: Adolfo Gonzalez and Rosa Espinoza. I appreciate their enthusiasm in sharing their life story with me, because it will inspire future generations, especially immigrants who come in search of the "American Dream".
Personally, I did not find any element of this MLO complicated because I am fascinated to apply my knowledge for the benefit of the community. I enjoyed every moment I spent with the members of the Hispanic community because they learned so much about me, but I learned even more from them. Both projects confirmed my passion to teach Spanish. One aspect that I still need to work on is exposure to other communities so that I am able to assist other sectors of the community. It is relevant to remind that education is a universal right and therefore we should not focus entirely on the ethnic groups that are part of our major.
Course Assignments
SPAN 301S: Spanish Tutoring
WLC 400: Access to Education
WLC 400: Access to Education