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Chapter 4
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-4041-0.ch004
ABSTRACT
This chapter explores ways in which preservice content-area teachers were engaged in service-learning
as part of a teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) methods course at a public re-
search university in the U.S. Midwest. It describes the reflections of 26 undergraduate students majoring
in English Language Arts, Math, Science, Foreign Languages, and Social Studies Education, who were
involved in service-learning as a medial field experience. Findings reveal that the experience contrib-
uted tremendously to their understanding of the backgrounds of English language learners as well as
the challenges these learners faced in and out of school. As a result of this “eye-opening” experience,
teacher candidates reported a commitment to valuing diversity and equity in their future classrooms, as
well as a responsibility to advocate for their culturally and linguistically diverse learners. The chapter
concludes with suggestions for implementing service-learning for preservice teachers across content
areas in a teacher education program.
INTRODUCTION
Research has long indicated the benefits of service-learning for preservice teachers in teacher education
programs (Kirkland, 2014). Service-learning provides “a form of experiential education” (Jacoby, 2015,
p. 1) in which transformative learning experiences take place that contribute to the lives of the students
and the members of the community where they serve (Kinloch & Smagorinsky, 2014). Unlike typical
Service-Learning as a Means
for Preparing Preservice
Teachers to Work With
English Language Learners
Hyesun Cho
University of Kansas, USA
Debby J. Adams
University of Kansas, USA