Collaboration between Pepperdine students and facilities staff improves language learning

Students in Spanish 251 at Pepperdine University participate in a language exchange program with Spanish-speaking facilities staff to enhance their conversational skills and build relationships.

Marilyn Koziatek/Pepperdine University

For college students who are learning a new language, applying classroom concepts to real-life situations, especially listening and speaking, can be challenging.

At Pepperdine University, a collaboration between a Spanish language instructor and facilities staff has helped students acquire practical language skills and foster connections between the two groups.

This initiative has not only assisted numerous students in improving their Spanish proficiency but has also inspired the development of other language learning courses at the university.

The background: Pepperdine’s Department of Facilities Services employs over 100 individuals who provide maintenance, custodial, and landscaping services for the Malibu campus, many of whom are native Spanish speakers.

Alison Stewart, associate professor of teaching of Hispanic studies, noticed that some of her students would greet staff members on campus in Spanish but felt hesitant to engage in deeper conversations beyond basic greetings like “Hola” or “¿Cómo estás?”

By incorporating a language exchange program into the classroom environment, students have the opportunity to practice their Spanish listening and speaking skills in a supportive setting and connect with staff members they may not typically interact with.

How it works: Students enrolled in Spanish 251, most of whom are native English speakers, participate in a Spanish-English conversation group. Stewart explains, “At this level, Spanish students are able to converse in the present and past tenses and have a broad vocabulary covering various topics.”

The class usually meets in the late morning, with a 50-minute session dedicated to conversation groups once a month. The first half of the class focuses on English pronunciation and articulation, while the second half is conducted in Spanish.

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“The learning objectives include expanding the vocabulary of both English and Spanish learners,” says Marilyn Koziatek, director of facilities services and campus operations.

Each session begins with basic introductions in Spanish followed by discussions on topics such as family, class schedules, majors, hobbies, and food.

“Initially, I provided conversation prompts, but increasingly students and employees bring up their own topics of interest, whether it’s sports or fashion,” Stewart notes.

Approximately 10 to 12 students and an equal number of staff members participate in these conversation groups. Stewart shares, “I am pleased to say that most, if not all, of our staff participants return to the 251 classes semester after semester.”

The impact: Since its inception in spring 2023, Stewart has integrated the conversation groups into all sections of Spanish 251.

Students and employees alike appreciate the enjoyable and relaxed atmosphere during class sessions and value the opportunity to maintain relationships beyond the classroom within the campus community, according to Koziatek. Staff members also express gratitude for the chance to interact directly with students, which is not as common in their daily roles.

“Employees have mentioned that the classes boost their confidence in communicating with English-speaking colleagues, alumni, and parents of the Pepperdine community,” Koziatek adds.

While some learners initially feel nervous about meeting their conversation partners, by the end of the class, they report feeling more confident and accomplished in using their Spanish skills in real-world situations. Stewart shares, “One student was so excited that she called her parents right after a session and exclaimed, ‘Mom, Dad, I just had a full conversation in Spanish with a Spanish speaker who works on campus—it was amazing!’”

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Planning for the future: The success of the initiative has led Stewart to develop and teach an English as a Second Language course specifically for DFS employees. The course is free and open to anyone interested in participating.

Each month, Stewart instructs a group of 30 to 35 learners from DFS’s custodial, landscaping, and irrigation departments at Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy building.

“We cover fundamental English grammar concepts, various vocabulary topics, and most recently in October, we focused on vocabulary related to the employees’ specific roles at Pepperdine,” Stewart explains.

Stewart hopes to formalize the ESL program, providing students with textbooks, assessments, and potentially organizing an end-of-year luncheon to celebrate their progress.

“Ultimately, we are establishing meaningful connections within our community, and I am grateful to be a part of this endeavor,” Stewart concludes.

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