26/03/2026
๐ฃ๐๐ฅ๐ง ๐๐ |The ELCO 148: Intercultural Communication and ELSC 109: Introduction to Language, Society, and Culture classes of the Bachelor of Arts in English Language took part in the two-day Community Immersion spearheaded by their subject instructor, Dr. Maria Evelyn D. Corpuz, at the Duplas National High School in Barangay Duplas, Sudipen, La Union, last March 13-14, 2026.
With the theme "Advancing Intercultural Understanding through Community Engagement," this initiative opened doors of opportunity for learners to expand their knowledge of language and culture beyond the classroom with first-hand experiences and interactions with the Bago and Kankanaey tribes of the barangay. Through a series of interviews with the community, the students were able to foster meaningful connections and deepen cultural awareness.
The first day of the immersion commenced with an opening ceremony led by Dr. Maria Evelyn D. Corpuz, alongside the two advisers of the BAEL second year students, Ms. Dannilyn U. Macato and Mr. Rogelio Joshua Catbagan III. The barangay captains for Brgy. Duplas and Brgy. Bulalaan, along with the faculty of the Duplas National High School, served as the keynote speakers for the program. Afterwards, the students were properly instructed towards the different sitios of the barangays for the interviews in order to learn more about the residents' experiences, language, culture, values, and traditions.
In the evening, the students took part in team-building activities to strengthen collaboration and reflection among the participants. The activities were designed to develop intercultural understanding, promote mutual respect, and highlight the importance of community engagement in learning.
On the second day, a closing ceremony was conducted for students to share key information they had gathered during the immersive experience with the community. This opened an avenue for learners to reflect and showcase their understanding of the community, encouraging them to grow their public speaking skills through the sharing of their insights.
Through this meaningful collaboration between community, culture, and education, this experience reflects the transformative power of immersive learning in bridging cultures and strengthening academic growth.
|๐ท: Hannah Ruth P. Erpelo & Daniechelle Garcia
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