Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational Modes of Communication
Exploring Culture
Throughout this semester in Spanish 102, I learned alot about Hispanic culture. We studied many different ways in which the Hispanic Culture differentiates from American culture including things like: special occasions, popular types of meals, work life, and family in Lingro Learning and through Discussion Board assignments.
These products and practices helped me better understand values and attitudes in the Hispanic culture as well as my own by learning more about their culture and way of life. It challenged me to view the world more openly and from a different perspective because some of the things I have learned were not fully understood. It revealed to me a new point of view of Hispanic culture, especially learning about different holidays and work life. Although they have their similarities, Hispanic culture is way different than American culture which has made me work through a misconception, from watchings too many movies, that Hispanic culture isn’t as different from American culture.
Engaging in Communities
Engaging in your immediate community is important and valuable because it is a way to give back, stay informed and up to date with current events and issues, and helps make sure that the communities in which you live continue to have a voice and say over their life by recognizing the needs of the community.
Interpersonal Communication
I completed many oral/audio activities throughout the semester including a conversation with an assigned partner, multiple conversations with our instructor, two talk abroad assignments, and very brief writing assignments within the discussion board amongst our classmates.
I’m slightly becoming more comfortable speaking in front of and/or with other students and my instructor. Compared to completing interpersonal communication assignments in Spanish 101, I have seen a change in my confidence level. Although I still struggle with translating straight from my head, I am more patient with myself. I am great at understanding what is being communicated. I think I am excelling at this part of learning the language, but what is most difficult for me is conjugating in my head. I overcame that by studying more and becoming more aware of stem changes and irregular conjugations.
Presentational Speaking
I completed multiple videos talking about multiple different topics regarding family, education, and work.
I struggled a lot with these assignments because it was challenging trying to translate sentences in my head. Over the course of the semester, I feel I have strengthened my abilities in translating from my head, but I sometimes will need to refresh myself on the vocabulary. I think continuing to learn and implementing vocabulary in all the assignments have helped me overcome and grow from those challenges.
Presentational Writing
I created two presentational speaking activities: a flier regarding sport activities as well as an infographic poster on how I stay in good health.
The infographic wasn’t as challenging as the sport activities flier. I feel what was challenging for me the most was conjugating the verbs to the command form because that was one area I was not too familiar with and/or struggled with. Over time I was able to understand it, but sometimes I need a refresher. I wouldn’t do anything differently, I think that was the best learning practice for me to understand the command form.
Interpretive Listening
We did an abundance of interpretive listening activities throughout this whole semester. We read an abundance of short paragraphs about Spanish speaking countries’ cultures and traditions, we listened to videos and voice recordings within each assigned module which taught us about cultures, family traditions, and about the life of the person speaking or in the video.
Compared to my last semester of learning Spanish, I am strongest in listening and comprehending the Spanish language rather than reading and speaking it. I feel like this part of learning the language was the easier part for me. I feel like my only problem with listening is trying to understand some words when speakers slur words together. This part of comprehension is most challenging for me, but how I get over it is by asking questions and having them repeat what they have to say slower.
Interpretive Reading
We have done an abundance of reading activities. In lingro learning and in our blackboard, the majority of our assignments were reading assignments.
I can say reading is my second strongest suit when it comes to learning the Spanish language. I think it is way easier to comprehend than Spanish because I can take my time to translate rather than having to translate on the spot. Sometimes I don’t understand what the sentence is saying although I know what the words mean, that is one challenge for me and I plan to overcome it by studying the structure of the language more and really comprehending it.
