Final Service Learning Reflection #2

The way the space was used at NALC was very creative and maximized the space of the room. Right when you walk in the front door, you see that the room has been separated into two halves by fake walls. On one side, you have the staff at their desks working, a copy machine and many files and books. They also have a large wooden table with 4 seats. This side of the room seems to be lively but the conversations are only between the staff members. This might be because of the wall that is blocking them from where the actual tutoring is happening. On the other side of the room, there are more little fake walls where it makes private tutoring areas. I thought this was genius because this eliminated any distractions or embarrassment one student might have. There are also computers in the corner of the room which students can log on and study in their own leisure time. Sometimes students will use the computers before their actual scheduled tutor time or after. There are many small desks and chairs where the tutoring happens and on each table is a can of pencils. In the back of the room are books where students can check out and study from at home. On the fake walls are posters of syllables and vowels but they are in black and white. There is not much color in the room which you would expect to see. The room is not cold or stale by no means, it is just professional and friendly. All these things contribute to the students learning process of English, and by the students I have talked to, they really seem to like NALC. I don't think they need a bunch of gadgets and gizmo's, they just need a tutor who will cast no judgement and who will help and listen to them.