ERIC Number: EJ1421828
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Apr
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2053-535X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Storytelling for Understanding: A Case Study of an English-Language Digital Storytelling Service-Learning Subject for Refugee Children in Hong Kong
Huiwen Shi; Lok Ming Eric Cheung
Journal for Multicultural Education, v18 n1-2 p81-97 2024
Purpose: While most language departments of the university offer service-learning (SL) subjects based on language teaching, such as "Teaching Chinese as a Second Language in Local Schools" and "Serving the Community through Teaching English," this paper aims to argue that teaching students to teach language(s) is yet to be the best strategy to serve the service recipients. Design/methodology/approach: SL is widely understood as an experiential learning pedagogy that integrates academic focus, reflection and community service and is shown to be impactful. In Hong Kong, the first university that has made SL a graduation requirement is the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (the University). Considering this, new SL courses have proliferated over the past decade. Adopting a narrative inquiry approach, this paper examines personal narratives from a new SL subject aiming to raise awareness of refugees in Hong Kong. The data includes students' reflective journals, co-created personal narratives and podcasts and semi-structured interviews. Findings: This paper finds that crafting and recording narratives of shared experiences deepens cultural understanding, cultivates empathy and facilitates language learning in a genuine setting. Social implications: Ultimately, this paper advocates a well-designed SL that combines language, content and technology as a powerful, transformational experience for both college students and service recipients. Originality/value: This paper focuses on a brand new SL course, "Storytelling for Understanding: Refugee Children in Hong Kong," offered in Semester 1, 2022-2023. The subject was developed by the two authors from a language division affiliated to the University. The deliverables were podcast recordings, co-authored and co-edited by the students and the children.
Descriptors: Story Telling, Service Learning, Foreign Countries, Teaching Methods, Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Experiential Learning, Reflection, Graduation Requirements, Personal Narratives, Audio Equipment, Student Attitudes, Diaries, Refugees, English (Second Language), Children, Cultural Awareness, Student Developed Materials, Undergraduate Students
Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Hong Kong
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A