When Service-Learning Is Not a “Border-crossing” Experience: Outcomes of a Graduate Spanish Online Course

Abstract

Research on Spanish service-learning has focused mainly on the outcomes of service-learning for undergraduate students learning Spanish as a second language. This article examines the role of service-learning in a graduate online course for practicing Spanish teachers and the outcomes of the service-learning experience for three participants who identified themselves as members of the Spanish-speaking community. The results of the study illustrate the need to design service-learning courses that take into account the backgrounds and specific learning outcomes of these students.