El Camino: Latinx, Latin American Studies, and ELL Education

Deepen your knowledge of Latinx, Latin American, and immigrant communities and gain skills for careers in education through coursework, community-based learning, and study abroad.

“Caminante, no hay camino,
se hace camino al andar....”
— Antonio Machado 

This Path offers the opportunity to deepen your knowledge of Latin American and Latinx culture, history, politics. You can also study  the theories, research, and methods used to teach English-language learners in the US and abroad. Build real skills through community-based work, language study, study abroad, and more. Reconnect with your cultural heritage or strengthen your skills in cross-cultural communication. 

Fields of study

El Camino brings together three related fields of study, letting you make connections between them.

Latinx Studies 

Latinx Studies examines the historical, socio-political, and economic conditions and experiences of Latinx peoples in the United States. You’ll explore topics in education, immigration, and justice that impact Latinx communities across the country.

Latin American Studies 

Learn about the cultures and histories of countries south of the U.S.–Mexico border while expanding your understanding of politics, arts, and social change in Latin America. Engage in intensive study of Spanish language, offered at all levels from Beginning to Advanced. Participate in community-based learning locally or as part of study abroad programs.

ELL Education

English Language Learning focuses on the theory and practice of teaching English language learners in the United States and abroad.

In programs on this Path, you’ll study:

• Critical education and pedagogy
• Cultural studies 
• Economics
• ELL Education 
• History
• Intersectional feminist studies
• Literature
• Media studies
• Political economy
• Popular culture
• Spanish language
• Social policy
• Writing in English and Spanish

Highlights of this Path

Chart your future

This Path give you one-of-a-kind opportunities to shape your future work with Latinx and Latin American communities. You’ll get hands-on experience and build real skills in:

• Community-based learning
• Critical thinking
• Cross-cultural communications
• Qualitative research
• Teaching
• Writing, speaking, and reading in English and Spanish

Study abroad

This Path offers study abroad opportunities in Latin America designed for Evergreen students in collaboration with community partners in Mérida, Mexico, and Santo Tomás, Nicaragua. Travel with a tight-knit group of students and faculty to explore the cultures and histories of communities in these two locations, while engaging in community-based work and staying with local families.

You’ll grow by immersing yourself in a community, mutually sharing knowledge and experiences, and learn to apply your new skills to your pursuits after college.

Learn Spanish

This Path offers you the opportunity to develop and deepen your Spanish language skills at all levels, from beginning to advanced. Our language programs, which combine language learning with the study of history, culture, and politics, mean you’ll learn more than just Spanish—you’ll explore the history behind the language and learn Spanish within its cultural contexts.

You’ll have hands-on opportunities that bring the Spanish language to life, like studying abroad or working with Spanish-speaking communities closer to home.

El Barrio

“El Barrio” translates to “the neighborhood.” It’s a community hub for everyone on the El Camino Path to connect on shared interests, host events like game nights, celebrate holidays like El Día de los Muertos, and more.

This space is home for El Camino students, but also welcomes students from other Paths to share their experiences and learn from others. Having a shared space creates a supportive community you’ll grow with on your journey through college.

Get involved with the community

The El Camino Path gives you lots of opportunities to take your education beyond the classroom. Evergreen’s Center for Community-Based Learning (CCBLA) can help you find opportunities to engage with the community and build real-world skills you’ll use in your career or graduate studies after Evergreen.

Internships and independent learning contracts

El Camino faculty want you to pursue what you’re passionate about. You’ll have opportunities to connect with local organizations through internships or even start your own project related to topics within El Camino’s Path.

For example, you could do an internship with an immigrant justice organization, pursue creative work in Spanish, do advanced qualitative research, and more.