Reflection on the Course

Exploring Culture

Throughout this course, we explored a number of cultures, mostly those focused around the Spanish language. We got insight into what it means to be a Nuyorican, we learned about Yerba Mate from Argentina, and heard Gastón Acurio speak on his authentic Peruvian cuisine. Additionally, we had the chance to look at other cultures, using our projects as a way to examine other cultures.

Something I got to dip into was food from the Philippines, which actually has some Hispanic roots. I did a video project on this that is linked here.

Engaging in Communities

For me, engaging in communities means sharing stories and celebrating experiences. We all come from such different cultures, from families of all shapes and sizes, that it can make it hard to relate. Really, the only thing we all have in common is that we are all different. However, one way we can bridge the gap is by relating through personal experiences.

This semester, I had the opportunity to share a transforming life experience of my own, through a project we did in Spanish. The video is linked here.

Interpersonal Communication

I really enjoyed the Talk Abroad projects that we did. Not only was it a chance to connect with Native Spanish Speakers, it also allowed us to share and compare cultures. More than anything we did in the class, I think the Talk Abroad changed how I approach speaking Spanish. It is easy to fall into formalities, or into the same old habits. The Talk Abroad programs, however, force you to keep challenging yourself, expanding your vocabulary, and to learn more about the other people living in our world.

If you want to listen to my Talk Abroad, it is linked here!

Presentational Speaking

A great way to work on presentational speaking is by working on a performance. For me, our poetry unit was a great way to get into Latin American presentational speaking. I really grew in my understanding of Hispanic rhythms, rhymes, and phrases. One way this is showcased is in my final poetry project, where I incorporated bossa nova drums when I read the poem.

You can find the video linked here!

Presentational Writing

The majority of the writing we did throughout the course was for our tests, quizzes, and projects. Prompts had a fairly wide range, covering everything we’d learned in class and then some. However, I’d say that the biggest point of growth for me would not come in the in class writing, but in making my at home corrections. It was there that I was able to reevaluate the work I had done and identify my mistakes. From there, it’s an uphill battle when it comes to unlearning what you did wrong before, but it is definitely worth it. As a writer, I feel a lot more capable than I had prior to this course.

Interpretive Listening

One of my favorite Interpretive Listening activities we did was listen to Gastón Acurio speaking on how he developed his authentic Peruvian fine dining restaurant. Having someone talk in rapid fire, non-stop Spanish forces you to adapt and become better, picking up on the flow of the language. Not only that, I feel like I learned a lot, getting a glimpse into the world of Latin American Culture, expensive cuisine, and eco-friendly food practices. Really, this was an amazing Ted Talk and I recommend it to anyone and everyone interested.

You can find it linked here!

Interpretive Reading

Reading has always been the thing I’ve struggled with most. There’s a lot of leeway when it comes to speaking, listening, and even writing. You can usually guess what someone is trying to say or, if you’re struggling to find a word, you can find another way to say it. But when it comes to reading, it can be hard to get context or identify the tone of the writing. This is definitely still a problem area for me and I’m working on it all the time.