Service Learning & Teaching: A Cross-Cultural Experience - Analysis of Languages in a Private School in Nicaragua

Oct 15, 2026

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Service Learning & Teaching: A Cross-Cultural Experience examines how a service-learning immersion in Nicaragua supported preservice teachers through a collaborative project focused on language analysis at the primary-to-middle school level. The study investigates bilingual or trilingual students in a private school, identifies languages spoken, and explores how the school accommodates non-Spanish-speaking learners. It also discusses the role of cross-cultural experiences and reflective field placements in preparing teachers for culturally diverse K-12 classrooms, connecting findings to teaching practices in broader international contexts.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Service Learning & Teaching: A Cross-Cultural Experience

Literature Review

Cross-Cultural Immersion and Teacher Preparation

CIMLE Current Issues in Middle Level Education (2012) 17(1), 1-11 Service Learning & Teaching: A Cross-Cultural Experience: Analysis of Languages in a Private School in Nicaragua Delphina Hopkins-Gillispie, Ph.D. Valparaiso University The service learning immersion experience in Central America benefitted preservice teachers, which resulted in a collaborative project on the analysis of languages spoken atthe primary to middle school level. This study researches, collects data, andanalyzes results fromone school systemin the country of Nicaragua in hopes of acquiring sufficient data to share and comparewith school systems in the United States. The purpose of this study is to determine the number of students ina private primary-intermediate school who are bilingual or trilingual, investigate the various languages spoken within the school, study howthe school system accommodates non-Spanish speaking students, and tolearnasmuchas possible about teaching on the international level. Preparing teachers for the nation’s public and private K-12 schools is an important part of this Midwestern University’s mission. One of the key issues in education and teacher preparation in the 21st century is the preparation of preservice teachers to work with students from diverse backgroundsinK- 12 schools (Banks, 2008; Darling-Hammond, 2006) . As globalization grows and various cultures in the world continue to integrate and work together, culturally sensitivity and responsiveness to students from diverse backgrounds continues to become anecessary and helpful skill to attain. Inan attempt to address the need to prepare preservice teachers to teach in culturally diverse settings, scholars recommend multiple approaches. Wlodowski (1995) suggested that preservice teachers must acquire experiences with students from backgrounds different from theirs. Buckley-Van Hoek, Kasten, Keenan, and Adeeb (1998) found that a field placement in a community service agency, combined with systematic reflection as part of a course on teaching in diverse classrooms, caused a significant change in students’ perceptions of themselves as capable teachers in culturally diverse classrooms. Tatum (1992) suggested the importance of cross-cultural experiences when she explained the stages of White racial identity development. Whites begin atthe state of Contact, which“is characterized by a lack of awareness of cultural and institutional racism, and of one’sown White privilege . . . [and] often includes fear of people of color, based on stereotypes” (p. 13) . In addition, Gomez (1996) states that when prospective teachers are able to interact with people different from themselves, “positive personal relationships and investments in the lives of ‘others’ and their future can occur”(p. 127). Cross-cultural experienceson a global level will help preservice teachers make the connection to students in the classroom. This paper addresses the benefits of cross-cultural experiences in Nicaragua, Central America of 12 White preservice teachers—this service learning trip equipped this institution’s preservice teachers to meet the challenges in the classroom of the 21st century. Literature Review American schools have become increasingly diverse in the past decade (Banks, 2008). Students from non-English speaking countries comprise the fastest growing American K-12 student population, and the number of students identified as having limited-English proficiency (LEP) has reached 10 million (SmithDavis, 2004) . Regardless of these staggering numbers, however, research demonstrates that preservice teachers are not adequately prepared to teach these students, especially when the students’ ethnic and culturally backgrounds differ from that of the preservice teachers’ (Gay, 2002; Howard, 1999; Merryfield, 2000) . What experiences are colleges and universities providing future educators, so that they cannot only collaborate with but also appreciate and value the many students,

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the study in Nicaragua?

To determine how many students in a private primary-intermediate school are bilingual or trilingual, investigate the languages spoken, and examine how the school supports non-Spanish-speaking students.

How does the service-learning immersion help preservice teachers?

It equips preservice teachers to meet 21st-century classroom challenges by enabling cross-cultural interaction and supporting language-focused collaborative work.

Why are cross-cultural experiences emphasized in teacher preparation?

The text argues that such experiences and structured reflection help preservice teachers develop culturally responsive pedagogy, global perspectives, and effective attitudes for teaching diverse learners.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by jayni