Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational Modes of Communication

Exploring Culture

Being a first time student in Spanish was quite difficult to keep up with. I never took a Spanish or any foreign language classes in my lifetime. As being in the art department as my major, I was quite familiar with artists like (Pablo Picasso and Frida Kahlo).

Personally, I was quite surprised of how almost similar Hispanic Culture is to mine. My parents were born in the Philippines and I could almost understand what a number of their language was speaking. For example, I recognized words that relate to day, time, and month (ex. miércoles to miyerkules (Tagalog)). It was quite a bit of refreshing and odd to see something quite familiar to my half-native language, and of coarse embraced it. I always feel I awe to think about it, though of coarse, learning a new language was hard. The good thing is, viewing a new stereotype that I myself could see that feels familiar to my culture spiritually.

Engaging in Communities

Learning Spanish or any other foreign language is so vital and important to me because I get to communicate with others, even when some may not understand. Learning Spanish to me was a step further in becoming more open and seen within other cultures. In addition, making new friends and gaining trust with others. As being in an online class, I couldn’t very well communicate personally with others at this time, I gained a mutual understanding with others as I share my thoughts and personalities through discussions and FaceTime with peers.

Interpersonal Communication

I believe I have grown quite much from the start of this semester. I remember going from arguing about why social media wasn’t the best type of social connection in full English to talking about why I admire my family in fluent Spanish. It was just such a step to know where I have come from a process.

Throughout the certain process, I was trying to discipline myself into being fluent as much as possible. Though to be honest, there are times I have to use a translator to know a phrase or a word so I write it down with notes. It was quite a difficult process to say the least, as I have to remember every word and every conjugation to become fluent and understanding. I remember when I had difficulty conjugating “ser” and “estar” for each word. Now although, I find it a little difficult to describe a group of people. I feel as comfortable in talking about myself and my family in decent Spanish, and I’m happy about that.

Presentational Speaking & Writing

One assignment that I considered an excel for me was the conversation 5 flip grid assignment (Mi Persona Favorita). As it is my final big project for Spanish 101, it was argueably the most important one for me because I get to finally put my oral skills to the test. Thought of coarse with numerous classes and projects in session, I was quite falling a little behind, which meant that I almost lost track of my progress and fluency. Though as a result I thought I did pretty well.

For this project, what I did was speak about how much I admired musician John Mayer, and how he influenced both art and playing guitar (Admirado este Arte y jugo guitaro). When it comes it the Flipgrid or video assignments in the class, I always like to write down a couple words to memorize so when I begin recording, I won’t mess up as much. I remember when I did this assignment, I was skeptical of how it was going to play out. Though, I was really happy with how it went. I used conjugation quite well and same with grammar.

Interpretive Listening and Reading

As I mentioned earlier, one of my most helpful tools I use in learning Spanish for me was Duolingo. I use Duolingo very constantly when I may be bored, and I will just use on a daily basis to keep up with my fluency. Duolingo was quite helpful for me in terms of interpretive reading and listening.

Multiple times through the app, I am introduced to regular Spanish conversations that relate to real life situations like a mom meeting a son’s friend or asking for a favor. I was quite skeptical about it staring off. Though, I gained a lot of challenge going through it, as writing down anything that I have not heard of. This was constant in terms of reading articles or watching movies in Spanish. If there was something I don’t understand, I always write it down ASAP.