NYSAFLT Annual Conference 2024

Language and culture rich, immersive experiences help students grow, but these experiences may feel inaccessible & daunting to design. Nevertheless, they are possible through virtual partnerships and destinations in our local communities. This workshop will explore how to identify a meaningful essential question to drive the unit, how to find opportunities for immersion virtually and online, and how to create meaningful materials for before, during and after the experience to engage students linguistically while exposing them to authentic culture.

This proposal promotes the integration of community-engaged learning (CEL) methodologies into the French language classroom curriculum. By blending theory with practical experience, students not only enhance their linguistic skills but also develop cultural understanding and empathy. We will delve into the theoretical framework supporting CEL and showcase its application through a case study of collaboration between the French language program at Nazareth University and Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services in Rochester. Through this partnership, students engage in meaningful interactions with refugee communities from French-speaking Africa, enhancing their language skills while fostering social justice and intercultural competence.