SPAN 101
Exploring Culture
Learning the Spanish language through Spanish 101 has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of Latin culture. By practicing speaking, listening, and reading in Spanish, I was able to explore different aspects of language, culture, and history associated with Latin America.
Reflecting on my experience of learning the Spanish language through Spanish 101, I am grateful for the new insights and perspectives it brought me. By examining the linguistic nuances of the Spanish language, I could better understand cultural values and attitudes that are different from my own. For instance, the use of honorifics like “usted” in Spanish reflects a certain level of respect and formality that I had not previously considered in my own language, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building.
The class also challenged some prior assumptions I had about Hispanic culture. For instance, Hispanic people are often stereotyped as being overly emotional or loud, but I learned how these judgments do not accurately reflect the rich diversity and complexity that exists among Hispanic communities. It caused me to work through these stereotypes and understand that misconceptions distort people’s experiences and history.
Engaging in Communities
Participating in your local and global communities is extremely valuable and important. On the one hand, being involved in your local community can help you create relationships, encourage understanding, and foster a sense of belonging. This can result in safer areas and stronger neighborhood ties in general. Participating in the global community, on the other hand, allows individuals to connect with people from different backgrounds, develop a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity, and make meaningful contributions to global social justice initiatives that promote understanding beyond one’s borders.
Interpersonal Communication
An example of Interpersonal Communication I did this semester was the “Special Person” discussion board. For this assignment, we were required to select a picture of our favorite person, share it with the class, and describe why that person is special to us while using at least two (2) sentences in Spanish utilizing the vocabulary and grammar we’ve learned until now. This activity allowed us to practice expressing ourselves in Spanish while also enhancing our language skills by expanding our vocabulary and knowledge of grammar.
I enhanced my interpersonal communication skills and Spanish language proficiency by participating in various spontaneous and unplanned interpersonal communication activities. Despite some initial difficulty expressing myself in Spanish, I overcame this challenge by referring back to grammar resources and expanding my vocabulary. I excelled in these discussion board posts by actively engaging in discussions with classmates and providing constructive feedback on their contributions, which allowed me to gain insight into different cultural traditions and practices.
Overall, participating in these activities has taught me the importance of actively engaging in class discussions while sharing personal perspectives and experiences. In future assignments, I plan on expanding my language skills while taking time to research more extensively about different cultures, thus contributing more meaningfully to discussion boards and developing a deeper appreciation for diversity.
Presentational Speaking
The SPAN 101 Conversation 2 (Module 2) involved watching a video and completing missing parts with answers and questions. Learners practiced before recording their conversation with the instructor playing in the background. They added at least two extra questions for classmates and answered one question in complete sentences in their second video post, practicing Spanish conversational skills in a practical setting.
https://www.awesomescreenshot.com/video/14850619?key=0eb5bd72321c4388bf401ab020268401
The completion of the three video presentations during my Spanish learning journey presented me with unique challenges yet contributed to my growth and development as a language learner. During each presentation episode, I was tasked with responding to various prompts in Spanish, which made me hesitant initially due to a lack of confidence in my language abilities. However, through practice and determination, I overcame this challenge by seeking feedback and referring back to grammar resources to improve my fluency.
Moreover, I got better at responding effectively to other learners’ questions. If I were to do anything differently in future video presentation activities, I would pay more attention to my pronunciation of words and their proper intonation.
https://www.awesomescreenshot.com/video/15845027?key=f619964a0214fa83f7b9faee36542a55
https://www.awesomescreenshot.com/video/16254049?key=8478581c85f6f464ec1080ca38fefc1e
Presentational Writing
There were no presentational communication activities related to Spanish learning completed this semester.
Interpretive Listening
The interpretive listening activities related to my Spanish learning journey this semester included watching videos on YouTube about Spanish words, Spanish conversations, and how to learn Spanish.
I engaged in various Spanish listening activities, including watching YouTube videos on practicing conversation phrases, 300 must-know words for beginners, and learning easy Spanish songs with lyrics. Initially challenging, repeated exposure helped me improve my comprehension, pronunciation, and vocabulary retention skills. I found practical applications of the language compelling, and consistent practice and immersion are essential for language mastery, deepening my understanding of Hispanic cultures.
21 languages. “🎤 Learn Basic Spanish: 10 Easy Spanish Songs with Lyrics || English | Spanish.” YouTube, YouTube Video, 24 Dec. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qG5VU-vl_c. Accessed 21 Apr. 2023.
Learn. “20 Spanish Words for Everyday Life – Basic Vocabulary #1.” YouTube, YouTube Video, 17 July 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJw40ENfr2w&t=398s. Accessed 21 Apr. 2023.
Learn. “300 Words Every Spanish Beginner Must Know.” YouTube, YouTube Video, 12 May 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Odnbvov9N0. Accessed 21 Apr. 2023.
Spanish, Hola. “Basic Conversation Practice in Spanish for Beginners | HOLA SPANISH | BRENDA & ROMINA ROMANIELLO.” YouTube, YouTube Video, 9 July 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbu8HvhYj98&t=173s. Accessed 21 Apr. 2023.
Fluent, Makes. “Practice Making and Speaking Basic Spanish Conversation Phrases.” YouTube, YouTube Video, 3 Aug. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK0xDdyK6ds&t=37s. Accessed 21 Apr. 2023.
Interpretive Reading
Interpretive communication activities related to my Spanish learning this semester involved using online resources such as “Contraseña” on Lingro Learning. This source improved my reading comprehension and vocabulary retention while deepening my understanding of Hispanic cultures.
This semester, I engaged in interpretive communication activities related to my Spanish language learning, utilizing resources such as “Contraseña” on Lingro Learning. Although mastering the vocabulary proved difficult at times, I found exposure to authentic language sources highly beneficial. My takeaway emphasized the importance of language immersion for developing fluency and vocabulary retention. As each assignment progressed, my comprehension and understanding of the Spanish language improved.
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