A Real World Learning Experience:
Acquiring Language and Culture in the Dominican Republic
3 Credit Graduate Courses
(EDU 9002, 9906, 9013)
Psychology & Sociology of Language & Bilingualism
Human Development in Cross-Cultural Perspective
Research in Language, Culture and Communication
Plus 3 Credit Undergraduate Conversational
Spanish
- Learn Spanish
- Experience a Different
Culture
- Visit Historic Sites
- Learn From Educational Tours
In addition to learning about the theories of second language
acquisition in the graduate course, students will engage in
intensive learning of Spanish (four days a week, six hours a day)
at Pontificia Universidad
Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) for the entire duration of
their stay. The process of learning Spanish will give
students the opportunity to see theory in practice and to
experience first-hand the phases and challenges of learning a
foreign language. As students engage in language studies
daily through the immersion model, they will be better able to
empathize with the struggles of English Language Learners in the
U.S.
Students will also gain experiential knowledge of Dominican life
and culture by living with host families and participating in
structured educational and cultural tours in Santiago, Santo
Domingo and other parts of the DR. Tours will cover a wide
range of institutions and experiences including schools, museums,
historical sites, orphanages, neighborhoods, and so forth. Through
participant observation, students will document and reflect on
their experiences through daily journal writing with a view to
enhancing understanding of Dominican culture.
All Graduate Students are Welcome!
Dates
June 20 and 27 (pre-departure orientation at St. John’s)
July 1 – 15 (overseas phase in Santiago, The Dominican
Republic)
August 1 (post-seminar at St. John’s)
Project Director:
Dr.
Yvonne Pratt-Johnson
Associate Professor
The School of Education
Sullivan Hall, Room 407
(718) 990-2645
prattjoy@stjohns.edu
*Application and a $550 deposit due on or before May 15,
2008