Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational Modes of Communication

Exploring Culture

I learned a lot about the Spanish culture this semester in Spanish 101. I learned the way greetings are done in Spanish countries and how important plazas are in different Spanish countries around the world. I watched videos and read about family and food and learned about the awesome university in Ecuador (UAE). I found out how important the game of fútbol is in Spain and other countries in general around the world. I gained an immense of knowledge about the Spanish culture during my short time in Spanish 101.

Engaging in Communities

Unfortunately, due to the quick, condensed semester I had in Spanish 101, I was not able to engage in my community. However, it is important to be a community participant because engaging in the community on a regular basis, you are able to build strong relationships and even change lives for the better. Go community!

Interpersonal Communication

For TalkAbroad, a classmate and myself were assigned an “interview” together where we discussed where we study, what classes we are taking and what time they are scheduled. We also discussed what we like to do in our free time. It was fun practicing the Spanish language with this activity. I thoroughly enjoyed this activity. Working with a peer on similar things we might be struggling with and both learning is fun and helpful. Below is the video of our conversation. Enjoy!

Presentational Speaking

I have practiced presentational speaking in Spanish almost daily during class. One way I practiced presentational speaking was by simply participating in class and answering questions the professor asked in Spanish. Another way I practiced presentational speaking was when my classmates and I would have brief conversations in Spanish in breakout rooms on zoom. Unfortunately I can’t include a recording of these conversations because I don’t have any. (See my conversation in the Interpersonal Communication section.)

I was challenged by these activities because as we progressed through the semester the conversations my classmates and I got longer and more detailed, making my Spanish speaking skills to grow and advance. Practicing with my classmates helped out tremendously because I could learn from them by listening as well as what I had already learned from the professor.  

Presentational Writing

I wrote two compositional pieces in my Spanish 101 class. My first composition was simply about myself, where I study, what I like to eat, etc. The second composition is a made up email to a friend about my family and the different people in it. I struggled a lot with spelling and where accents belong. I’ve noticed now I am starting to write English words in Spanish from practicing writing so much. I still have trouble on where accents belong in words so that is something I will need to work on next semester in Spanish 102.

I have grown in my writing from the first composition to the second. I have learned more vocabulary in the Spanish language. I have learned different descriptive and possessive adjectives along with singular/plural forms of words and present tense of different verbs. Below are both compositions. Enjoy!

Interpretive Listening

Throughout the semester I was assigned four “Flash Culturas.” These are videos I watched that were in English and Spanish about different topics such as school, family, plazas/greetings, and finally sports. After watching these videos I took a quiz testing my skills in listening and understanding the Spanish language. Below are screen shots of the four videos I watched.

This was probably the most challenging part of the course for me. Listening to someone speak the Spanish language and understanding it takes a lot of practice. It is definitely more difficult than reading the language because some words don’t sound the same as they look. It was also challenging for me to get this done on the VHL assignments where I wrote down what I listened to in Spanish. It is definitely something I need to work on for future Spanish classes.

Interpretive Reading

During this semester of Spanish 101 I completed 4 reading assignments. These four “Lecturas” were about different topics and helped you practice and understand the written language of Spanish. I demonstrated each week that I understood the passages by passing a quiz about each Lectura. In the beginning of the semester I struggled a lot with the reading because I didn’t know anything about the Spanish language. Throughout the semester however, the reading became easier due to the fantastic teaching of Professor Sefchik. I am able to read The Spanish Language way better than speaking it. Here are the 4 Lecturas I read throughout the semester.