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This article presents a guide to implementing oral history projects in Spanish language courses, drawing from our fifteen-year collaborative initiatives with various community organizations in the Trenton area. Among these is our comprehensive Puerto Rican Oral History Project, which resulted in five short video documentaries and over sixty recorded oral histories. Based on our experience conducting oral history projects with diverse groups of students, we offer practical insights for both high school teachers and college professors, detailing how to prepare and carry out oral histories for intermediate and advanced-level classes, particularly those including both heritage speakers and language learners. Oral history projects can enhance students’ intercultural awareness and strengthen community ties but require careful planning. We outline essential steps for designing and implementing a successful oral history project. We also discuss ethical and legal issues concerning human subjects’ protection, including Institutional Review Board approval and informed consent, when conducting student research. Resources for further reading and research will help instructors understand the benefits of incorporating oral history projects into their courses and aid in the planning and execution of future oral history projects.
