2. On a Personal Note
ò I travel extensively in North America, South America, and Europe.
ò I have taught, developed, organized, and directed study abroad
programs in Costa Rica and Peru for Flagler College since 2005.
ò I continually question how to make these programs more relevant
and meaningful.
ò I am committed to choosing the best program location and local
partner for Flagler College.
ò I work to match specific courses to the location, type of course and
student educational level. Examples: Peru Myths and Legend of the
Hispanic World; Costa Rica Telling Stories: Hispanic Short Stories, Latin
America through Film, and Literature and Environment.
3.
4. Program Overview
(Total of 7 credits)
SPA 340 Selected
Topic Course (3)
Intercultura (4)
Language Instruction
Logistics
Selected Readings:
Volunteering
Popol Vuh; Colombus;
Neruda; Sepúlveda
http://www.xtremas.org
http://
www.thearaproject.org
Weekend Visits:
Parks of Arenal, Poás,
Monteverde, La Paz
5. Learning Outcomes for
SPA 340
ò Develop skills in expressing oneself orally or in writing. You will
improve your own speaking and writing skills through practice as well as learn
how to prepare and present a coherent presentation using the Spanish language.
ò Gain a broader understanding and appreciation of the natural
environment as a living entity that influences Central American culture and
literature (through readings and field observations).
ò Learn to apply course material. You will have multiple opportunities to put
knowledge you have acquired into direct practice as you use the Spanish language
to communicate with the host family and/or members of rural community during
volunteering activities.
6. Assessment for SPA 340
• 40%
• 10%
Journal
Final
Presentation
(Including all
components)
• 30%
Reading
Reviews
Class
Participation
• 20%
7. Final Thoughts
ò Orientation before departure is crucial in my experience over the
years. It is important to repeat program information as many times
and in as many ways as possible. Experience teaches me that
students have “selected hearing.”
ò Assessment of learning objectives is an on-going necessity and
perhaps they are not always achieved. However, when I hear a
student speak who never pronounced a word in my class before, I
know our efforts were worth it!
ò Do I believe there is always room for improvement? Definitely!
Evaluation and observation often provide helpful insights. It is,
however, equally important to remember and build on successful
experiences.
ò Questions?
8. “…nothing so liberalizes a man and expends the
kindly instincts that nature put in him as travel
and contact with many kinds of people.”
- Mark Twain
