A recipe for success in Foreign Language: experiential learning, student creativity, and community involvement.

Abstract

An original work, Avivados, written by Anibal Ibarra, local playwright, journalist and poet, of Paraguay, is a prime example of experiential learning--a crucial factor in language acquisition. In creating this work, Ibarra provided students with an opportunity to research different areas of the word,create visual aids and present the information in Spanish and in English to a diverse audience. The presentation of Avivados focuses around a very well-known theme in Mexican culture, Day of the Dead, and applies this motif to areas around the globe. Ibarra also creates an interesting dichotomy between life and death with his title. This Phi Kappa Phi conference presentation will explore the benefit s of Avivados, as it pertains to second language acquisition. It highlights the work's focus on comparing practices and products of cultures --both Hispanic and other world cultures --through student creativity and originality. The student will outline the positive impacts of experiential learning on a language student, the community and the relationship between the two.