Spanish-Language Learners and Latinos: Two Community-Based Projects

The growing U.S. Latino dispersal is allowing for more interactions between students of Spanish and native Spanish speakers. By working with Latino community members, Spanish instructors help meet the standards for foreign language education developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. This article describes 2 projects. In the first, students of Spanish and Latinos come together. Students tutor adult Latinos in ESL, math, and GED and citizenship preparation courses, whereas Latinos help students develop their conversational skills. In the second project, students visit local Latino businesses to make cultural comparisons and learn how Latinos enrich the community.