Spanish in the Community: Students Reflect on Hispanic Cultures in the United States

Abstract: The changing demographics of many communities has created a need for individuals and agencies to understand the many cultures represented by Hispanics in the United States. Advanced college‐level students of Spanish experienced U.S. Hispanic cultures first hand, through participation in a community‐based experiential course with a service‐learning option. Results of a qualitative study indicate that subjects enrolled in the course formed positive and accepting attitudes toward Spanish speakers and their cultures, regarded their cultural experiences as worthwhile, and found a sense of fulfillment through contacts with native speakers of Spanish in the community. There was also evidence of a strong link between participation in service‐learning activities and academic achievement in Spanish.