Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational Modes of Communication
Exploring Culture
As a kid from a Spanish-speaking household, I grew up already having an understanding of Spanish culture. Throughout my childhood, we visited Puerto Rico countless times to spend time with family. Because of this, I had a unique perspective going into this class that most people don’t already have.
During my time taking this course, I studied things such as schedules, text messages, and social posts from different cultures. Additionally, I engaged with my family and Spanish-speaking content creators online. Through these connections, I learned many things such as how Spanish culture in Puerto Rico tends to be far more open to touching and more casual than typical American culture. My family and extended family love to hug and kiss all the time for the smallest things and dislike when anyone distances themselves.
This was a bit of a shock when I realized it since my brother, despite growing up alongside me, tends to dislike being very touchy. This is a bit of a clash between the two cultures, and after taking this course, I understand why.
Engaging in Communities
It’s very important to engage with your community to not lose sight of the importance of individuality and personal values and beliefs. These can be very different for various groups and backgrounds, and this is no different with Hispanic and Latino communities in the US. Seeing all these viewpoints from things like online communities, such as watching streamers, or talking with locals, such as family or friends, will drastically improve your cultural awareness and by extension your language skills.
Interpersonal Communication
Talking one-on-one with my parents about Spanish culture is something I’ve been lucky to be able to do since I was young. I remember frequently bugging them since I was young about all sorts of things, like questioning the massive fort in Puerto Rico we would always love to visit. During this semester alone, I learned about the “tutear” culture in Spanish-speaking countries. I asked my parents about this, and they each gave different perspectives on the subject, such as having to use “usted” with strangers or not. This goes to show that even within the same country, people might not even all have the same perspective on formality.
In the following interview with my mother, you can see me practicing my interpersonal communication skills. While the interview itself was somewhat staged, I was still reacting to the situation and trying to weave the interview together into a somewhat sensible and intelligible conversation based on context. The most difficult part for me is always speaking since I tend to freeze up when thinking about what to say next.
Presentational Speaking
In English, give a brief 2-3-line description of any presentational speaking activities you completed this semester inside or outside of class for or related to your Spanish learning. Include a recording of one of these speaking activities. (See Modes of Communication link for description and examples).
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?
Presentational Writing
During this semester, I completed a presentational form of writing via a schedule which was filled out and presented in paragraphically. In it, I described what I do throughout each day during a typical week. Doing this, I refined and practiced the way I speak about dates and times, but also, I believe I improved my grammatical flow. It was tricky to try to make the paragraph flow while jumping between different times for each day of the week. If I were to do this again, I would try involving the past-tense and reflexive forms more, but I was limited due to the project requirements.
70264_2023-03-21-035120_863Interpretive Listening
In English, give a very brief 2-3-line description of interpretive listening activities you completed this semester for or related to your Spanish learning. (See Modes of Communication link for description and examples).
Then, write a short reflection paragraph that includes the different things you listened to/heard this semester inside and outside of class or in the Language Learning Center or its website. Find a recording and add to this section; be sure to cite it. What was unclear or challenging for you? How did you overcome this difficulty? What did you find most interesting or compelling? What was your takeaway from the listening experience? How have you grown with each activity?
Interpretive Reading
In English, give a very brief 2-3 line description of interpretive communication activities you read in and out of class this semester, such as articles, stories, websites like the Language Learning Center, etc. that you completed for or related to your Spanish learning. Include a copy of one of these activities; remember to cite it. (See Modes of Communication link for description and examples).
Then, write a short reflection paragraph that includes the activities you described above. What was unclear or challenging for you? How did you overcome this difficulty? What did you find most interesting or compelling? What was your takeaway from the reading? How have you grown with each assignment?
When you have finished adding content to this page, delete all the instructions except the link to the Modes of Communication.
When you have finished adding content to this page, delete all the instructions except the link to the Modes of Communication.