Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational Modes of Communication
Exploring Culture
Since my best friend of ten years is fluent in Spanish and her mother speaks little English, I had and wanted to learn Spanish in order to communicate with her mother and her other immediate family. With this goal in mind I also had take in account of their culture and foods. Her mother makes the most delicious ceviche and arroz con pollo. She makes it every Tuesday and I am there with a empty stomach.
Her mother also introduced me to bolis de crema. It is basically ice cream in a tube, but in Latin America it could be candy and ice cream. Secondly, because her family is from a third world country, I picked up on a few cleaning tips. In Colombia they did not have cleaning supplies and other traditional cleaning products and utensils. When I went to her house, I saw that her mother used an old dish rag, cut a hole and put it on top of the broom and used it as a mop head. It was very innovative because I never would have thought about that. It was used to mop and pick up dog hair at the same time.
Engaging in Communities
Accelerating in Spanish or in any other language relies on the personal want to continue to learn. It is very important to try and practice another language when that language is available in the community. For instance, my best friend is Colombian and we have our favorite local Mexican restaurant. She encourages me to order food and conversate with the waiters and waitresses in Spanish. When I mess up or they do not understand me, they are very helpful in trying to correct me and help me. They sometimes help me learn new stuff also. Using these simple tools have helped memorize phrases and other things useful when asking and needing items.
Interpersonal Communication
During this semester I engaged in a telecollaborative conversation in TalkAbroad. I had a very nice conversation with a woman in Colombia who was a vet. We conversed on a basic level, but learned many things about each other. It was difficult at times because although she was fluent, I had trouble understanding her and vice versa. However, I was able to utilize the tools and some memorized vocabulary to ask her to repeat and state that I did not understand. After using those phrases over and over, the conversation got stronger and I was able to understand and communicate on a better level and this also allowed her to understand and grasp my level of understanding.
Interpretive Listening
In a module during class, we listened to YouTube videos about what people like to play,how does gender stereotypes affect the workforce from children and favorite dishes of foods from different Latin American countries.
Interpretive Reading
Articles included in class consisted of a short article referencing the health care contrast between Spain and the United States. I learned that Spain has almost universal health care and cares for their immigrants, tourists, and permanent residents as almost equal. In the United States it is very different, but overall Spain has a very nice health care policy from what I read and I would gladly move to Spain if given the chance.
When you have finished adding content to this page, delete all the instructions except the link to the Modes of Communication.