Community Engagement Opportunities
Our students can participate in community engagement projects with local Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking communities under the supervision of our faculty and local organizations.
SIGN-UP for Spanish community-based activities for Spring 2020: Spring 2020 Spanish community sign-up
If you would like to receive regular notifications about our on-going community-based activities, please sign up for our Email listserve here: Spanish Outreach email list
Or contact Professor Danielle Thomas with your WhatsApp # to join a WhatsApp group for notifications: daniellethom@umass.edu
When participating in a community engagement project, students can participate in non-credit activities OR earn between 1 and 3 practicum credits (1 credit per every 3 hours worked per week). These credits will count towards the total number of credits needed for graduation, but may not fulfill any requirement of the major. Students need to sign a contract with the organizaton and be in touch with a faculty sponsor in order to receive practicum credit (SPAN 398 / PORT 398).
You can participate in our community activities in a variety of ways.
- Sporadic volunteerism: participate in one-time language & cultural events in our local community
- Regular volunteerism: commit to a regular # of hours supporting one of our language & cultural initiatives in the local community
- Community Engagement & Service Learning (CESL): participate in a community-based activity as part of your SPAN course curriculum (SEE: CESL program for more information)
- Internships: commit to a leadership role and regular # of hours supporting one of our language & cultural initiatives in the local community
If you have any questions about the community opportunities we have planned for Spring 2020, please contact Danielle Thomas: daniellethom@umass.edu
Spanish Language and Culture Outreach Intern
In Spring 2020, the Spanish studies program will offer a series of language and culture workshops in the Amherst, Northampton, Holyoke and surrounding communities to Spanish- and English-speaking community members. We are currently offering ONE internship position to participate in the organization and implementation of this program, entitled Así Hablamos. This position requires about 9 hours of work per week, and the successful candidate would receive 3 academic credits.
Responsibilities
The student intern will assist Professor Danielle Thomas and other members of the Outreach Committee on helping to recruit and coordinate students and community members for participation in the workshops/meetings and assist with the implementation and follow-up on these workshops/ meetings, which are expected to occur 2-3 times per month.
Requirements
• Fluency in Spanish and English
• Familiarity with the communicative practices of Spanish-speaking and English-speaking communities
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, ability to work creatively and independently
• Interest and/or background in planning & facilitating workshops/meetings, developing educational and/or language learning materials for adults & children
• Flexible scheduling (ie. nighttime, weekends) from January to June 2020
If you are interested, please send your résumé and application letter to the Professor Danielle Thomas, daniellethom@umass.edu
Additional Opportunities
There may be additional opportunities currently under development. You may get in touch with one of our faculty to learn about any forthcoming projects:
- Meghan Armstrong-Abrami, amstrong@umass.edu
- Stephanie Fetta, sfetta@umass.edu
- Luis Marentes, marentes@umass.edu
- Danielle Thomas, daniellethom@umass.edu
