Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational Modes of Communication

Exploring Culture

Prior to exploring the Spanish culture in Spanish 101, I had the idea in my head that a siesta was a party or a vacation. In my research I found that a siesta was quite the opposite. Though I found there were quite a few reasons why siestas take place such as avoiding midday heat and limited shop trading times, there was one factor that stood out and gave me perspective on how the Spanish culture can be portrayed as a whole, “Many Spaniards take a midday break from work or school, as a cultural tradition designed to slow down the pace of life and to unite the family.” (Spanish Siesta: Key Facts, Myths & Truths!, n.d.)

Portion of Assignment:
En argentina es típico trabajar cuarenta y cinco horas por semana. Típica para trabajar cinco horas el sábado.
No puede trabajar más de ocho horas al día o mas de 48 cuarenta y ocho horas a la semana. Los trabajos más típicos son la pedagogía. La siesta en Argentina es de medio día a las tres o cuatro de la tarde. La familia viene a comer y relajada. Cuando hay una siesta no hay mas actividad. En Argentina las siestas vienen menos. Más están ocupadas. Menos tiempo para siestas. Ahora una “siesta energética” puede ser una siesta.

Exploring Culture Reflection:

Studying the Spanish culture and the practice of the siesta concludes just how important it is in the Hispanic culture to take the time to slow down, enjoy a meal with family, regain strength, and take care of yourself. That is my biggest take away and I believe it’s a very important one. This “challenged my worldview” in a positive way that opened my eyes. Before researching, a “siesta” may sound to the average American like a “waste of time” since the average American isn’t used to more than an hour break for lunch. Now I see this as the misconception. I can now see the necessary benefits behind the Hispanic practice of the siesta.

There is a clear difference here in the United States, no one seems to be able to slow down. Not many people seem to value other humans let alone their own family to enjoy a meal with. I believe if our country were to adopt some traits from the Spanish culture we would see a promotion in love, healthiness, and happiness. The Spanish culture gives off a very “warm” and embracing demeanor that the rest of the world would certainly benefit from adopting.

References

Spanish Siesta: Key Facts, Myths & Truths! (n.d.). Https://Ohmygoodguide.Com. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://ohmygoodguide.com/spain-siesta-key-facts/

Engaging in Communities

We were asked to research a University in a Spanish country therefore learning about what the Spanish community values as a whole and that is working in unity. In Spanish countries it is free for the community to use the University facilities for the University and community to work together. Spanish countries seem that they do not run solely off profit as other areas in the world, and this is important when it comes to the type of relationship a community has. This provides a setting to work together with your community, to learn, to improve, to help one another. Whereas when you are unable to work with your community you are left to be ran by corporation.

https://www.blackboard.odu.edu/ultra/courses/_399742_1/cl/outline

Presentational Speaking

This semester we were asked to submit a project in which we spoke on places were we spend a lot of time. We were asked to speak on our University but as I am taking all of my college courses online, I show you around my home. I show you were I study in my office. This presentation I present clear room for improvement.

Something that I found I needed to work on was just how well I pronounced my words in Spanish. It was brought to my attention that leaving out just one syllable of the word can change the meaning of the spoken word, or even cause the entire sentence not to make sense. With the advice I’ve taken from Señora Alfaro, I have been able to slow down and speak each word with clarity to ensure proper meaning. You will notice in this video I rushed toward the end while saying the word “maestra”, the word may even be unrecognizable. I have been able to overcome this error and improve my speaking my making sure I pronounce each syllable.

.https://youtu.be/ckVKQkrTM2k

Interpersonal Communication

This semester we were asked to partner up on multiple assignments and discuss interpersonal activities. I spoke with my partner Jasmine on many subjects including details about ourselves, our plans, and our universities. Here we speak about where we are from, what we study, what we plan on doing the weekend coming up.

In Spanish 101 we were asked to communicate in a number of forms with our classmates using Spanish. We were given multiple conversations with partners that we had to think of “on the spot” responses, using our newly learned vocabulary. We were also given assignments that we were to research and make a post, then communicating with our classmates on their post as well. There has been a lot of back and forth communication this semester in the form of discussion board post, but the most beneficial and testing of our newly learned skills were the conversations like the one displayed here. Each time my partner Jasmine and I were able to converse we were able to improve a bit more. At first we struggled if there was a mistake, but we did learn how to distinguish Spanish meaning through context clues in the event that we did not perform exactly as planned. We were able to learn from each other and improve in this way.

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEHBHU4BQ6U

 

Presentational Writing

This semester we were asked to learn how to write formally and informally. We were asked to create a schedule in an informal assignment, and we were asked to write a formal letter in which we presented our newly learned Spanish writing skills. In this example I created a schedule in Spanish of what my life is like daily..

At the point in the semester when we completed this project, I was having a bit of difficulty connecting my sentences, not knowing certain words. I was able to overcome this by referring to our online Spanish textbook. I used the advice given to use the textbook to excel.  I was able to overcome this issue and was also able to gain much practice through our online text through repeated practice activities.

Interpretive Listening

This semester we were asked on various occasions to listen and interpret the meaning of what we are listening to in Spanish. Many times we were asked this for grammar quizzes, but I found it most helpful when conversing. We conversed not only with our instructor verbally but our classmates as well during our five conversation assignments.

In this recording I found Jasmine easy and clear to understand. Although sometimes the meaning of certain sentences does become unclear when she forgets a word or conjugates improperly. I was able to overcome this difficulty by listening to the aspects that she spoke in which I was able to understand meaning. I have certainly grown in my understand of listening to the Spanish language with each activity. At the beginning of the semester I found it very hard to understand anything spoken to me in Spanish. My main take away from listening assignments is to listen and use context clues!

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIMYhAWpxxw

Interpretive Reading

This semester we read interpretively on multiple occasions and on multiple topics. In our online textbook we were asked many times to read articles about Spanish culture, and we were asked to read about characteristics of people from a variety of Spanish speaking countries.

At first I found assignments such as the one pictured above to be difficult. As you can see the description of “Rose Pillcurima” is filled with words that we did not learn in Spanish 101. This is very intimidating to look at and at first I would become very overwhelmed and panic. I was able to overcome this difficult by slowing down and reading word by word only the words that I did understand. I was then able to take the pieces of information that I did know and this way I was able to learn and grow in my reading assignments. I found it interesting and compelling that we are given such advanced Spanish text and are able to figure out the context of the passage from the basics that we have been given. This gives me confidence in my Spanish reading.