Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational Modes of Communication

Exploring Culture

On Contraseña, the Exploración Cultural sections helped me learn about the culture in countries like Cuba, Guatemala, Spain, Colombia, Peru, and more. Topics included internet use, university life, the degrees of formality, siesta, and people they admire. These activities allowed me to compare and contrast culture in the US with those. To me, the most interesting topics were internet use and what the universities are like. I was able to point out big differences that shocked me. My perspective definitely changed after learning about the customs and traditions in different countries.

Engaging in Communities

It is important to engage in your immediate community and the global community to gain more knowledge of the culture. If we did not learn about the culture of the language we are learning then we would be missing a key part in this journey. Learning about the way if life in various Latin countries gives me a better insight and makes interactions I have, or are going to have, in Spanish more meaningful.

Interpersonal Communication

For my second project in Contraseña, we had to film an interview with a classmate. This interview had to be spontaneous and unscripted. We had to include a greeting, at least three basic questions about the person and their identity, at least three questions relating to school and their studies, and a farewell.

This was my first time speaking Spanish in an ongoing conversation and I think it went well. It was difficult because I did not know what Joshua was going to ask so I had to make sure I knew all the possible questions and how to answer them. I excelled at understanding what was being asked and answering correctly. I learned that I need to work on pronunciation more.

Presentational Speaking

For my last project, I had to film a 2-minute long video showing my favorite places at ODU. I had to film what each place looked like, what I do there, and what I like/dislike about it. The places I chose were the Webb Center, Goode Theater, and the Scene Shop.

I had a lot of fun filming this video and I enjoyed going to each place. I did have trouble writing the script because places like the Scene Shop are a little difficult to explain and we had not gone over adjectives I could really use to explain what happens there. If I could do it differently, I would talk louder because in some clips you could not hear me that well. I excelled at recording clips of each place and using physical gestures while talking.

Presentational Writing

For my first project in Contraseña , we had to write a composition including basic information about myself and statements using Ser, Estar, and Tener. The picture included is my final draft.

Writing this composition was fairly easy. However, I did have trouble remembering numbers and connecting words to make my writing flow better. I excelled at using complete sentences with the correct grammar.

Interpretive Listening

In Unit 2 on Contraseña, we learned about conversing with others about our courses and major. We had to view a video including two roommates, Roberto and Eric, that were meeting for the first time. Roberto didn’t speak that much English but luckily Eric spoke some Spanish so they were able to converse in Spanish about what they study. Pictures below are a screenshot from the video as well as some questions we had to answer based on their conversation.

I found this video interesting because I could relate to it. Eric did not speak a lot of Spanish, like me, so he would say/ask basic phrases that I knew and understood. I thought this video was a good example of how easy it can be to have a conversation with a fluent Spanish speaker when you’re a beginner.

Interpretive Reading

In Contraseña, we had to read about favorite social media accounts of people in different Latin countries. These people were Alejandro in Spain, Gina in Cuba, Ximena in Guatemala, and Angela in Columbia.

What was challenging for me was reading each of the descriptions because they were all in Spanish. I overcame this by looking at verbs and nouns that I had already knew and understood. I thought it was interesting how WhatsApp and Facebook were the most popular amongst these people and their countries.