Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational Modes of Communication
Exploring Culture
I truly enjoyed the part of the class where Professor Alfaro would share music video from different areas of the Spanish speaking world. I also liked the Cultura part of the textbook and matching videos. It is nice to be able to experience other cultures without leaving your desk.
I feel that listening to music from other cultures helps us to expand our world views. It lets you hear what is important to the people of the particular country they represent, as art and music are usually linked to current attitudes and events. The songs Professor Alfaro chose seemed to really represent this. While our music can, at times, be very cookie cutter, these songs certainly weren’t. Virtually visiting the various areas within the Spanish speaking world was so eye opening. I enjoy traveling and, while I have visited Mexico many times, Peru is certainly on my bucket list. I feel the biggest challenge I faced in these assignments was the language barrier. While we have learned many basic words, some of the more complexed sentences confused me.
Below is a link to one of the artists we discussed in class. The link below is to the song “A Pedir Su Mano”, my favorite song by Juan Luis Guerra.
Juan Luis Guerra 4.40 – A Pedir Su Mano (Video Oficial) – YouTube
Engaging in Communities
In the area of Virginia where I reside, there is a very large Spanish speaking community. Knowing how to communicate effectively with people who speak Spanish is of vital importance in the areas of education and healthcare, where there is a large gap in effective services. The connection you can make to someone just by taking the time to learn how to communicate with them in a way they can understand is the beginning of bridging the gap between people.
I volunteer with a nonprofit that works to help people who are victims of domestic violence. I work on the emergency hotline and also in the office one week a month. There are more women coming into the office and calling the hotline who speak Spanish exclusively. Right now, the agency is hiring an interpreter to talk with these women when they contact the office. Since taking these classes, I have been able to utilize my understanding of basic Spanish to communicate with these women at a time when they feel most vulnerable. The agency is beginning basic Spanish classes for all employees and volunteers to better serve our community.
Interpersonal Communication
This semester, we participated in two TalkAbroad sessions. In one we discussed clothes and shopping and in the second we talked about food and cooking. We also participated in multiple partner conversations where my partner and I roleplayed scenes in a hotel and a market and to talk about our daily routine. The class engaged in discussion board posts where we would comment on music videos and places we would like to visit.
In my TalkAbroad session I spoke with Stephany, a young student who lives in the Yucatan Peninsula. I chose her because we had many things in common as well as I was familiar with the area she lived in. She was very helpful and, although the first conversation was a little rocky, the second one went much smoother. I really enjoyed this part of the course as it allowed me to use what I had learned in an actual conversation.
My roleplaying with my partner were fun but difficult in the beginning. I felt that both she and I felt uncomfortable the first few times we completed these assignments because of our lack of knowledge of the language. As time went on, however, we became more comfortable with each other and with the information.
The discussion posts were very interesting. It was a way to connect with my fellow classmates, which can be difficult when the class meets asynchronously. Some of us found we had quite a few things in common.
Presentational Speaking
In Spanish 102, we utilized Voice Thread, which allowed us to answer questions while being video recorded. This allowed Professor Alfaro to see us pronounce the sentances.
The task of answering the questions was hard at first, when my knowledge of Spanish was so limited and basic. After the first Voice Thread submission, it became much easier. I actually enjoyed being able to watch and listen to myself in the playback. I was able to actually delete and rerecord questions where my pronunciation might have been off.
Presentational Writing
In English, give a very brief 2-3-line description of the presentational communication of compositions, pamphletr outside of class for or related to your Spanish learning. Include a copy of a written presentational activity you produced? (See Modes of Communication link for description and examples).
We did a variety of composition in this course. The one that I enjoyed was writing the article about a leisure area you could visit and what you could do while you were there. Although it was difficult to write, making sure all the tenses were correct, I realized how much I had learned this semester. I was able to complete the assignment and make it flow as the Professor had assigned. I chose to write about the mountains of the Skyline Drive, which begins in the town where I live.
Interpretive Listening
We listened to many different stories and watch many videos this semester. In VHL, we used the Aventuras sections to watch video. Professor Alfaro also read stories to us.
In Aventuras, we followed the story of Marissa, a foreign exchange student in Mexico, and her friends. The stories were interesting and funny. They allowed me to use the actions in the video to make a connection and put a word with an action or article. This visual learning style really helped me comprehend what I was listening to.
Click below to see a sample of one of the Aventuras videos. In this video, Maru and Miguel’s romantic dinner gets invaded by Juan Carlos and Filipe.
Interpretive Reading
When you open up our VText link on VHL, the first page has a new topic every few weeks. Even though my Spanish is still in the beginning stages, I enjoyed reading these. They were interesting and I learned things about Spanish speaking countries that wasn’t covered in class. Below is a link to the current offering on our VText.
Estrellas Michelin 2021: Listado Completo | The Gourmet Journal: Periódico de Gastronomía
While the one above is interesting, my favorite was in October when they shared the most haunted places in Latin America. I attempted to read it in Spanish first and was able to understand most of the key points. When I encountered a word I didn’t understand, I first looked it up in our textbook. If I couldn’t find it there, I then turned to Google. I really feel that reading and listening to the language does help you understand and retain what you learn. Articles like the one above only serve to strengthen my comprehension of the language.