Spanish Language and Cultural Immersion for Social Work Students

Abstract

This article describes the pedagogical literature of cross-cultural social work practice, international social work, experiential education, service learning, and study tours, and examines the National Standards for Foreign Language Education. The authors outline the theoretical foundations and program design of one social work undergraduate program's attempt to incorporate traditional didactic classroom-based learning and experiential in-class activities with experiential non-classroom-based learning, in an effort to help students learn Spanish and increase their awareness of and sensitivity to the needs of Hispanic/Latino clients. The article details how one baccalaureate social work program developed and evaluated classes on Spanish language, Spanish culture, and a Spanish immersion study tour to Costa Rica. In addition, the article presents viable objectives, assignments, and reflective, qualitative outcomes evaluations obtained from students who enrolled in the courses and the faculty members who taught the courses.