Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational Modes of Communication
Exploring Culture
Although it has been a year since I last visited a predominately Spanish speaking community, I am able to work alongside some pretty remarkable guys on our jobsite every once and a while. These guys, most from countries in Central America, are tight knit, caring, and hardworking. They embrace their Hispanic culture and out of necessity I must communicate in broken Spanish with them at times.
I do hope to continue my Spanish lessons while volunteering abroad in Peru next year. I am excited for Peruvian food and learning more about the Peruvian culture.
Engaging in Communities
Community and family are such a strong foundation for many Hispanic people. Their sense of self is centered around the awareness of others and helping those around them flourish. The article below helps to encapsulate the thoughts and consensus of the importance of family values in Hispanic culture.
I may not be Hispanic, but I can appreciate the strong familial bond that is passed on from generation to generation in these communities and families.
Interpersonal Communication
- Since beginning this course (Spanish 102) I have grown more confident in my conversational Spanish abilities. There are still many times where I will attempt to communicate and cannot formulate my thoughts in complete and full Spanish sentences. As I reflect on these last few months, I feel as if my grasp on Spanish in conversation has developed.
- I have enjoyed listening to and chatting with my classmates. Some spoke better than I did, and some were less along than I; however, having these conversations helped me to understand that I have made improvements.
- The use of the interactive Spanish alphabet in the beginning of the semester was helpful while trying to enunciate words.
https://www.spanishdict.com/guide/the-spanish-alphabet
Presentational Speaking
As I began my class this semester my conversational Spanish was not the best. Overtime, and with plenty of practice, I have gotten better. The recording below is the final product of a Communication Assignment submission.
I have enjoyed participating in the Talk Abroad program, and these assignments, in particular, really set the standard for presentation and communication. One of the challenges, however, was overcoming the nerves associated with language barrier. I hope to get better at communication and presentations in Spanish as my education continues.
Presentational Writing & Reading
My Presentational Writing and Reading skills do offer room for improvement. I would guess that this is not alarming given the fact that I a second-year Spanish student. One of the ways I hope to better my understanding of writing and reading a foreign language is to watch sports with the commentators speaking in Spanish. The use of subtitles may be necessary to fully grasp the game.
Interpretive Listening
To tie into my love of sports, I believe that if I were to immerse myself in a primarily Spanish speaking setting I feel as if my Spanish would improve greatly. Listening to Spanish on the television, on the radio, or by participating in more Talk Abroad programs may strengthen my Spanish.
My goal will be to travel to Peru and feel comfortable that the language barrier has diminished.
Citations:
LexBarahona. “Sports in Spanish: Vocabulary and Sentences.” YouTube, YouTube, 12 Aug. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJBjHx473Tc.
Nicole CanúnFreelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish AcademyBlogger. “The Powerful Role of Family in Hispanic Culture [Unlike U.S. Culture].” Homeschool Spanish Academy, 18 Jan. 2022, https://www.spanish.academy/blog/the-powerful-role-of-family-in-hispanic-culture-unlike-u-s-culture/.
“Spanish Sports Poster.” Second Story Press, https://www.secondstorypress.com/products/spanish-sports-poster.
Unsplash. “Spanish Culture Pictures: Download Free Images on Unsplash.” Spanish Culture Pictures | Download Free Images on Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/s/photos/spanish-culture.