Students took photos representing their lives as Latin Americans and presented them, allowing informal conversations about their experiences and opening dialogue with peers and the community. Using the internet, ELL students remain in contact with friends speaking their first and second languages, maintaining literacy in both while feeling a sense of belonging to both their home and new countries, boosting self-esteem. The photo project and online connections helped students feel a sense of belonging both physically and online while connecting their native and new cultures in a personalized way.

2. REALIDAD LATINA: PHOTOVOICE
Students took pictures of things they felt
represented their lives as Latin
Americans.
Were able to practice using the English
language formally in presentation form, but
also informally in conversations about their
photos.
Were able to open a dialogue with peers and
community members about their
expericences.
Very personalized project

3. CREATING DIGITAL SPACE
ELL remains in contact with friends
who speak L1 and L2 via the
internet
Maintain literacy in both languages
(BICS)
Maintain sense of belonging to home
country and new country
Overall greater sense of self

4. THEMES
Belonging to a community
Physical and online
Connection between life in native and
new cultures
Personal connection to projects
within the model
Self-esteem boosters