Service Learning

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO-BOULDER, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, FALL 2026 

SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM 
SPAN 1010, 1020, 1150, 2110, 2120, 2150, 3000 and above 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM 
The Service Learning (SL) program sponsored by the CU Boulder, Department of Spanish and Portuguese is a volunteer program that offers Spanish language students the opportunity to learn about Hispanic cultures and to use and improve the language skills acquired in classroom settings in real life settings.  At the same time, this program provides our community partner schools and agencies with dedicated volunteers who help with school activities and provide academic tutoring.  Students who have volunteered through Service Learning (SL) have considered participation in the program to be a positive and rewarding experience. 

WORKLOAD AND CONTRACT 
Students who participate in SL will engage in 20 hours of volunteer work during the semester, usually 2 hours of service per week for 10 weeks. Volunteer duties vary from homework help, tutoring in reading, writing, computers, math, arts, and music, to organization of field trips, games, sports’ activities, and recreation. All participants must sign a contract with the SL Program. These will be distributed during the SL information session, at SL board across from McKenna 103 or form the SL website. Students must sign up within the first “month” of classes to participate in the program. 

COURSE CREDIT AND EVALUATION 
Students will be evaluated based upon 1) fulfillment of service hours and 2) completion of an interview with the instructor or a brief class presentation. Near the end of the semester students must pick up a Student Performance Evaluation form from their program supervisor and turn it into their CU Spanish instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to give their evaluation to their instructor to receive credit for participation in the program. Students will also be expected to complete a brief evaluation of their own Service Learning program experience. Please note that all students must be passing the class with a C- or better in order to receive credit for Service Learning participation. 
 

SPAN 1010/1020
Participation in the Service Learning program will substitute for one-half of the participation grade with the expectation of 20 hours of volunteer service.

SPAN 2110/2120
Participation in the Service Learning program will substitute for one-half of the participation grade with the expectation of 20 hours of volunteer service.

SPAN 3000
Students may substitute participation in the Service Learning program for 3 quiz scores with the expectation of 20 hours of volunteer service.

Above SPAN 3000
Please contact your instructor within the first month of classes about participation in the SL program.

SERVICE LEARNING INFORMATION SESSION – FALL 2026 

There is one (1) information session where you can learn about the different Service Learning programs and sign up with a sponsor from the schools and/or organizations. The programs will take contact info from students during this session to help facilitate placement. Please attend this session to find the program that best suits you. 

Friday, August 28th, 10:10 – 10:50am  McKenna Languages Building, Room 103 

If you are unable to attend the information session, you may learn more about our community partners at our website (http://www.colorado.edu/spanish/servlearn) or at the informational bulletin board across from McKenna 103. Once you decide where to volunteer, it is your responsibility to contact the program, arrange to interview and begin to volunteer. Fill out the Ethics and Commitments form and turn it in to your instructor, which will notify them of your plan to participate in Service Learning. Students must be signed up by the end of the first month of classes to participate. 
 
SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES