August 30, 2018

The UCF-Hillcrest Foreign Language Club provides university and elementary students an opportunity to use their Spanish and French language skills in a collaborative environment. The club is currently seeking UCF volunteers who are in 2000-level or higher French and Spanish classes.

What is Hillcrest?

Hillcrest Elementary School, part of the Orange County Public School System (OCPS), serves a diverse student body. Orlando’s Foreign Language Academy was created to provide the opportunity for all of its students, English and non-English speaking, to become bilingual. English speaking students study Spanish or French, in addition to their required grade-level curriculum. Non-English speaking students study English as their second language.
Hillcrest is located in the historic Eola Heights-Mills/50 area of downtown Orlando. With brick streets, majestic live oaks, and friendly neighbors, Hillcrest is a great place to volunteer and a great place to connect with the broader Central Florida community.

What is the UCF-Hillcrest Modern Language Club?

A group of UCF professors and Hillcrest teachers and parents established the UCF-Hillcrest Modern Language Club in spring 2015. Our objective is to provide UCF and Hillcrest students the opportunity to use their Spanish and French skills in a collaborative environment. This partnership connects UCF students with the greater Orlando community.

UCF-Hillcrest Modern Language Club group photo

Why volunteer?

  • To use your Spanish and French skills
  • To collaborate with your professors, your peers, and members of the community
  • To create curricular activities that enhance UCF and Hillcrest students’ academic growth
  • To gain experience in a professional setting
  • To build your resume/cv:
    • Fulbright and other scholarships
    • Graduate school applications
    • TEFL Certificate
    • Employment

Who can volunteer?

Students who are enrolled in a 2000-level or higher Spanish or French class at UCF or the equivalent, as evaluated by UCF faculty.

What is required of me as a volunteer?

  • Attend a pre-program informational/planning meeting at UCF on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 from 1:15-2:15 p.m. in Trevor Colbourn Hall – Modern Languages Conference Room, 358B. (**If you are unable to attend but would like to participate let us know and we will make it work!)
  • Collaborate with UCF faculty to prepare for Club meetings.
  • Meet at Hillcrest Elementary School 4 times during the semester on Mondays from 3:00 to 4:30 pm on September 10, October 8, October 29, November 12, 2018.

How many hours will I be expected to volunteer?

You will volunteer at Hillcrest Elementary for a total of approximately 6 hours during the semester. Along with the pre-program planning meeting and monthly preparation time, you can expect to invest approximately 12 hours of time during the semester.

How do I sign up?

Contact a faculty coordinator:
Marie Leticée, -Marie.Leticee@ucf.edu
Amelia Lyons, Amelia.Lyons@ucf.edu
Anne Prucha, Anne.Prucha@ucf.edu
Kacie Tartt, Kacie.Tartt@ucf.edu