The CATESOL Journal

This article outlines an ongoing collaborative service-learning project conducted at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, California. The project involves matching ESL students with sociology students for several interviews during one semester. The sociology students interview the ESL students to collect real-world data by which to examine sociological concepts. The ESL students practice their listening and speaking during these interviews and are exposed to American culture and difficult vocabulary. At the beginning of the semester both groups are apprehensive. The sociology students are uncomfortable with what they consider an atypical classroom activity and the ESL students are self-conscious about their speaking abilities. At the end of each semester, however, reflections have shown that the ESL students have increased confidence in their ability to communicate in English and the sociology students have an increased awareness of a variety of cultures. This project has proven to be beneficial to all participants.