The Felicia Mahood Senior Center in Sawtelle is collaborating with the European Languages and Transcultural Studies Department (ELTS) at UCLA to create meaningful connections between UCLA undergraduate students and the local senior community. Since Winter of 2025, five undergraduate UCLA students – Christine Barber, Ava Diedrich, Azur Gracia, Mariana Meza, and Tracey Tay – have offered a French beginner class at the Felicia Mahood Senior Center. A new class will be offered in the Spring of 2026. All students are advanced French language speakers. At UCLA, they prepare their classes under the supervision of Dr. Elsa Duval and earn course credits through internship and community engagements courses (FR195 – FR110XP – ELTS 110XP).
This long-term partnership gives students practical experience in language and cultural education. In class, seniors learn the basics of French vocabulary and grammar, through small group activities and class discussions specifically catered to them. They also experience French culture through discussions on music, food, travel etc. Several seniors have attended multiple classes in the last year and request their return when the program is paused, attesting to the success of the class.
This initiative, coordinated by Dr. Elsa Duval, connects local seniors with undergraduate students through linguistic engagement. While teaching, students get to explore how their own pedagogical experience contributes to the community surrounding UCLA.
This long-term partnership gives students practical experience in language and cultural education. In class, seniors learn the basics of French vocabulary and grammar, through small group activities and class discussions specifically catered to them. They also experience French culture through discussions on music, food, travel etc. Several seniors have attended multiple classes in the last year and request their return when the program is paused, attesting to the success of the class.
This initiative, coordinated by Dr. Elsa Duval, connects local seniors with undergraduate students through linguistic engagement. While teaching, students get to explore how their own pedagogical experience contributes to the community surrounding UCLA.