Author Information
I-Jane Janet Weng, Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages, TaiwanJun-Fang Liao, Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages, Taiwan
Abstract
In Taiwan’s hospitals, language barriers often create challenges for foreign patients, many of whom come from Southeast Asia. To solve the problem, a language university in Taiwan initiated a service-learning program to train college students to assist in improving communication between foreign patients and health care workers. This study aims to explore the student volunteers’ service-learning experiences when applying their language ability in medical settings. The program utilized Roehlkepartain’s (2009) 6-staged service-learning model that included investigation, preparation, action, reflection, demonstration, celebration, and sustainability. Each student volunteer served a minimum of 18 hours in a semester at a local hospital. They assisted with a variety of non-medical service tasks, while using English or other foreign languages to assist with communication for patients of various nationalities. The study employed a mixed-methods research design, which included quantitative pretest and post-test surveys, students’ qualitative reflexive journals and interviews. The 60 college volunteers were majoring in a variety of language-related departments and had no formal background in health care. Findings illustrated intercultural service-learning programs have the potential to increase students’ soft skills, improve intercultural competence and attain global citizenship through volunteer service in local hospitals. This paper reveals how intercultural service-learning can be integrated into language learning, while nurturing college students’ intercultural competence through real-world, cross-cultural interactions in local contexts.
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