Improving Students' Literacy Awareness through Service Learning in UAE: 'Children's Language and Activities Bag (CLAB)'

Department of Language and Literacy Education at the University of Georgia. 315 Aderhold Hall, Athens, GA 30602. Tel: 706-542-7866; Fax: 706-542-3817; e-mail: jolle@uga.edu; Web site: http://jolle.coe.uga.edu

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9

Foreign Countries; College Students; Elementary School Students; Learning Activities; Language Skills; English (Second Language); Second Language Instruction; Service Learning; Literacy; Hospitalized Children; Communication Skills; Partnerships in Education

1559-9035

This study presents the service learning experience of university students and invites teachers at all levels to make use of the content to improve awareness of the role of literacy. In an elementary Language Education course taught at Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates, 23 students designed a language bag for elementary students to improve children's language ability and promote education and reading in English. Students transformed a curriculum reuirement into a service learning project to meet the needs of long-term hospitalized children who could not attend school and were considered literacy-deprived. Theories, concepts and importance of service learning were introduced. University students' reflections showed they realized a greater sense of self, developed a partnership with community members and improved communication skills through discussions and language activities.

As Provided

12

2015

EJ1068176