Introduction

This book proposes community service-learning as a critical pedagogy that connects learners and communities to address key challenges in heritage language education.

Purpose

The book's purpose is two-fold: to fill a crucial gap in empirical research on community service-learning in the heritage language context, as well as to provide language educators and practitioners essential guidelines for designing community service-learning courses, with particular attention paid to the characteristics and needs of Spanish heritage language learners.

Significance

This book presents compelling evidence demonstrating the central role community service-learning plays in developing heritage language learners' identities, connections to the heritage language community, language attitudes, and social, cultural, and sociolinguistic awareness.

Unique Perspective

Importantly, this book also addresses the often-overlooked perspectives of community partners and liaisons.

Conclusion

As the first original research monograph on community service-learning for Spanish heritage language learners, this pioneering book will undoubtedly aid students, instructors and administrators across all levels of language education.