Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational Modes of Communication

Exploring Culture

There were a number of different activities and assignments that helped me in this class. Especially when talking about exploring culture. The textbook, discussion boards, and especially studying with peers.

The textbook and notes helped me gain a better understanding of the Spanish language in general but also gave me the necessary tools. Discussion boards were crucial to my deeper understanding of culture as we talked about several different cultures as well as traditions and more. Lastly, I leaned a lot on my peers, specifically my roommate and family to help me study by quizzing me and going through verbal assignments.

Engaging in Communities

Engaging in communities both internationally and close to you is imperative in every sense of the word. Doing this is the reason why we study Spanish and other languages; so we can communicate with one another with absolute ease. Of course, in Spanish 101 this looks a tad different as we are just learning the basics. However, I can hold a basic conversation, tell time, and have some understanding of vocabulary. This is important for the immediate community because I could communicate with people day to day that I might come by in areas of my life such as school, work, or on the street. From a global perspective, this engagement is important for communicating while traveling to countries that speak Spanish such as South America, Spain, and more.

Although I didn’t get a wide range of experience engaging with my community, I did try my best to have conversations with people in my life with whom I’m close that are native Spanish speakers. Even though the conversations were very minimal they did help me engage and have personal conversations which did excite me to learn more so I could further communicate with them in a different way than before.

Interpersonal Communication

My favorite form of interpersonal communication is discussion boards. Discussion boards are where somebody poses a question or topic, typically the professor. From there people will respond to said question or topic. When people respond it can open up an entire conversation where people can respond to each response and discuss individual responses.

Specifically, there were a number of discussion boards that were great this semester. My favorites were the ones discussing traditions and holidays in different parts of the world and how they relate to your personal favorite holiday. Additionally, the one talking about a university in Spain and how it relates to other universities in the U.S. Both of which helped me learn more about culture as well as more about my classmates. With each activity, I learned more and was more comfortable with the canvas platform of the discussion board. I struggled at the beginning with the canvas platform and I am still learning every day. I overcame this by asking peers and exploring the platform. Next time I would prepare even further ahead in this course with canvas.

Presentational Speaking

The platforms such as Flipgrid where you upload a video of you speaking and people can respond with videos were used multiple times. Additionally, our final oral exam was used on the platform, Zoom

Then, in a paragraph, write a reflection that includes each presentation you completed in which you explain what challenged you and how you grew and overcame those challenges.  What did you excel at? What/how would you do differently next time

I have used the platform, Flipgrid, and Zoom in the past so I had minimal trouble with that. The first Flipgrid was slightly difficult because I was trying to both plays the recording of the professor speaking and me responding at the same time. The second time was a little easier as it was just me introducing myself. Lastly, the meeting with the professor was easy as it was just an introduction, however, I was very nervous.

Presentational Writing

There were a few different articles and videos we viewed over the course of the semester. Especially when we were doing discussion board assignments.

Then, in a paragraph, write a reflection that includes each of the activities you described above in which you explain how you have grown with each assignment or activity. What became easier and what was difficult? How did you overcome the difficulties? What did you excel at and why? How could you do better next time?

There were articles and videos about greetings, holidays, culture, and universities. Through this, I learned more and more each time. I did find understanding some of the words at first but as they went on, I found it easier. I could do a number of things better next time such as responding to more classmates to learn more and translating the full entire videos to understand those better.

Interpretive Listening

Interpretive listening activities could be seen within the exams and audio clips. From this, we would have to answer questions based on what we heard in the clip.

Unfortunately, I am unable to access those audio clips. However, an example from an exam was discussing the friendship of people living in two different countries. At first, I had trouble translating these but as I went on through the rest of the semester I found it easier as I learned more. Perhaps the biggest help with those was to write out what I heard on a piece of paper, read it over, and then respond.

Interpretive Reading

Again, there were a number of videos and articles used. Specifically and most often in the discussion boards. Because I was seeing more of these on my Youtube, I was watching these videos on my own time.

An example of the videos I was watching in Spanish were videos about different food. I love to cook so not only was this educational it was also fun. Both cooking said food and serving food. I learned so much about different foods and the words for those foods in Spanish. I also loved learning about how food tells a story of culture and tradition. I will definitely be learning more in the future. A lot of it was hard to understand but what made it easier was learning the different key ingredients.

I learned a lot throughout this semester and with each assignment from the quizzes to the exams and especially the discussion boards. I look forward to learning more in the future.