Exploring Culture

This semester, we engaged in the TalkAbroad program with native Spanish speakers from around the world. We connected with them through video chat, and discussed topics related to the modules we covered in class.

I really enjoyed the process of TalkAbroad this semester, especially getting to know my conversation partners! Not only did these conversations help me to practice the content we were covering in class, but it also helped me to learn more about different parts of the world. My first partner was from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and my second partner was from El Salvador. These partners both had a very diverse view on the world, and shared their opinions and thoughts on the United States. They spoke about how people in their country view Americans, and most of their insights were correct. My partner from Argentina told me about how people in his country view Americans as opinionated and disliking their government, which is honestly something that I agree with. Without TalkAbroad, I doubt that I would have been able to hear the opinions of people from different countries.

My TalkAbroad conversation about stereotypes!

Engaging in Communities

In the class, we engaged with other students online through the discussion board at the end of every module. Since our class was completely online, it is hard to form a community with the other students in the class, but I think that the discussion boards helped me to get to know my fellow students. Attached is a screenshot of the discussion board from this semester.

Interpersonal Communication

This semester, we had 2 TalkAbroad conversations, as well as discussion boards at the end of every module, and two speaking exams with our professor. Outside of class, I also was able to practice my Spanish with my coworkers who are Spanish teachers, as well as with Spanish-speakers I encountered in Texas while on a work trip.

I think that over the course of our (very short!) summer semester, I was able to grow my abilities with Spanish, especially with speaking. I have always struggled with speaking in Spanish because I get very nervous I am going to say something incorrectly, but I also am nervous when speaking in general. What has helped me the most gain confidence I think is the TalkAbroad conversations we had this semester. It is very reassuring to speak with a native Spanish speaker, and have my partner understand the majority of what I was trying to say. Overall, I think that the TalkAbroad is my favorite experience from college Spanish!

Presentational Speaking

The only presentation speaking activites we did this semester were the TalkAbroad conversations, as well as the two speaking exercises we had with our professor.

The biggest challenge that I face when speaking in Spanish is self-doubt. During this semester, I have sat down and made a list of how I feel about public speaking, and the reasons why I should not doubt myself. This has helped me greatly not only in Spanish class, but also at work and in my personal life! I struggle sometimes with finding the right word or verb tense to use, but at the end of the day, I think that my point still gets across.

My TalkAbroad conversation about traditions!

Presentational Writing

This semester, we had a piece of presentational writing in almost every single module exam. They were based off of prompts, and needed to be a specific length.

I enjoyed the writing prompts that we were given this semester, since I think they are the place where I shine the brightest. I am most confident with my writing in Spanish, and I always like to practice to get better. I think what I can improve on the most is my sentence structure, as well as my conjugations of some of the verb tenses we had to use. Verb conjugation has always been hard for me, but I think that I have shown improvement this semester.

Interpretive Reading

This semester, all of the interpretive reading that we did was during our module exams. We were given a short reading sample describing a topic we discussed in the module, and then we were asked comprehension questions.

We did not have any interpretive reading exercises last semester that I am aware of, but I think that I will continue to read in Spanish, even after graduating from college and not being required to practice Spanish anymore. I have bought a couple of books in Spanish, and I am excited to begin reading one to stay up to date on my Spanish!