“La Charla”

An Interdisciplinary Spanish Language and Culture Course

For UNC Students in Health Affairs and Social Work

 

Course Director:  Claire Lorch, MSW  clorch@email.unc.edu

Location: Course is taught in Carrington, School of Nursing

Participants:  Students enrolled in the Schools/Departments of Allied Health, Dentistry, Medicine,  Public Health, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Social Work.

 

At UNC Hospitals, community-based services, and other professional settings, it is becoming increasingly common to encounter Latino patients and clients who do not speak English.  The cultural gap between patient/client and provider has been compared to an invisible border that is more significant than merely a division of language.  This border is created by complex cultural differences that often lead to misunderstanding.  Appropriate goals for healthcare providers and social workers, therefore, should include developing basic language skills and developing the knowledge, sensitivity and understanding for working with Latinos in these professional settings.  In response to the need for future healthcare professionals and social workers to develop these Spanish language and cultural skills, UNC is offering this interdisciplinary course, "La Charla," to students in Health Affairs and the School of Social Work.

 

“La Charla” is a 10-session course offered on Monday and Thursday evenings to UNC students in Health Affairs and Social Work.  The course will emphasize elementary speaking and listening comprehension skills as well as important cultural aspects of the lives of Spanish-speaking clients.  There is no charge for the course, except for the cost of the textbook, but enrollment is limited to approximately 20 students per school and a completed application form is required.  “La Charla” is not a credit course but the course is authorized by each of the participating schools and students completing the course will receive a certificate or letter documenting the course experience and their participation.