Exploring Culture

I realized that while I was taking Spanish, it was important to explore the culture. This helped me to understand differences and helped me to appreciate language even more. In an effort to explore the culture I have tried many new things that are a representation of the culture as a whole. I have practiced cooking new Mexican cuisine in order to fully immerse myself in the culture itself. My favorite meal would have to be Chile Relleno. Chile Relleno is very delicious and if you were to tell me about this dish in any other way I wouldn’t understand how it would be good but after tasting it, my life was completely changed.

Listening to Spanish music also helps to get better familiarized with the language. I often listen to many famous artists such as Celia Cruz, Elvis Crespo, and more. With hearing their music I always enjoy it, which makes me want to sing along. In an effort to understand what they are talking about, I dissect the lyrics and sing along step by step. While I sing it makes me happy but it also helps me to become more fluid in my pronunciation in Spanish.

Along with exploring the culture we often try and compare and contrast. For me, this isn’t important. If I compare it to another language or culture, it takes away the authentic enjoyment for a new language. Although from an academic standpoint, it helps to show how different language is composed. While learning it helps me to see that there are different perspectives and beliefs that don’t reflect my own but completely go against them. While exploring the culture, many stereotypical beliefs were disproven and were explained in a better way, essentially revealing the truth. It gave me a new eye for understanding and definitely showed me that things are not what they seem. This helps me to progress in knowledge and gives me a new appreciation for life.

Engaging in Communities

While Spanish is a language with a widespread in the U.S, it is important as individuals that we learn the language. It makes the environment feel more inviting as well as easier to access. We should put our shoes in foreigners’ shoes, how would we feel if we were treated differently. An experience can change someone’s opinion and even benefit you in a different way in the future. Participating in the Global community could also strengthen your foreign language ability.

Personally interacting with the community can help to learn about cultural practice and help understand Spanish from a different p.o.v. .This video from the text reflects how information can be gathered and misconceptions are solved.

Interpersonal Communication

During the semester we used learning from the text, discussion board, and TalkAbroad assignments in order to establish communication skills. These materials were at our fingertips, at the ready for us to access with the help of the textbook. While working on numerous assignments, the main goal was for us to be able to communicate an idea. This includes ourselves, a partner, a group, etc.

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With each activity, I strengthen my ability to communicate with others in Spanish. Sometimes difficulties of communicating what I wanted to say were an issue and writing down words before we conversate made it a lot easier. I learned that I have to just go for it with a calm and careful approach in order to get through the conversation. For my future conversations, I plan on figuring new tactics to enable me to become more fluid in communication with the partner. In addition to the practice that I get in class, I also collaborate with classmates and friends to grasp the concepts of Spanish.

Whenever I study, I typically will find a buddy to quiz me on knowledge. While they are helping me, I encourage them to use Spanish as well. It’s the perfect way to become a perfectionist with the skill. In the process I learned that it isn’t about speed it’s about the true understanding and appreciation of this language and culture as a whole.

Presentational Speaking

During the semester we participated in a Talk Abroad assignment where we applied our abilities to use our knowledge of Spanish. To the right, there is an audio recording of the conversation between myself and Ms. Claudia showcasing the work we have done. In addition to this exercise, using the text, I practiced pronunciation of the vocab following the direction of the text.

These activities allowed me to critique my mistakes when speaking in Spanish and help me reflect on how speed can hinder me . After listening to the audio it allowed me to make grammatically correct statements or make subject agreements. In addition to these practices , it has allowed me to become more fluid and not sound “choppy ” when I speak .

Presentational Writing

We have practiced our writing skills during and outside of class. With each activity came a different situation applying different areas of chapters 5-8. In the activity below, we wrote a brochure in order to convince clients to visit. We listed activities, places, and many other things for individuals to enjoy.

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While completing these writing activities such as; flyers, stories, and compositions, I have grown in the understanding of how to formulate sentences. In addition, it has helped me progress in presenting the information that I know, using the directions given. As I continued, It has made writing easier and faster along with the use of transitional wording. Practicing using the text was most beneficial in overcoming my difficulties. In addition to this, it helped me to remember new tenses and new vocabulary.

Interpretive Listening

Interpretive listening trains the ear to understand the information that is being related . During the semester I have listened to music , text audios , youtube videos , etc . With each listening , it has helped me tremendously .

While outside of class, I typically would listen to audios listed in the virtual text to complete activities . While they give us a scenario, we try and listen for the best answer to the question. This requires for us to listen to the context information and to help us to understand what the character is talking about . Sometimes the audios were confusing if theym started off a bit faster , causing me not being able to understand as fast . It helped me to realize the more that I listen , the better it woud get . In addition to the text audios , I also listen to music in Spanish . While sometimes the artist may sing in a swift pace, metal memory and ear training will help to listen for the things we are looking for . With each time I practice , it makes me more prepared for the following TalkAbroad assignment that follows .

Interpretive Reading

Reading is a fundamental practice when learning Spanish, this is something that we have practiced as we read numerous activities. This includes the text, feedback based on the activities we have done, and activities to come up with the right answer. By reading the context around our information, it helps order to read it and make sense of it.

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This is important, especially since the construction of a Spanish sentence has major differences from English ones. While reading sentences containing reflexive verbs can become hard, reading them backward helps. Sometimes I forget to make all of my tenses match but continuing to practice reading them aloud helps me and I have done better since the past assignments. The thing that was most intriguing is reading about new places around the world and about new foods.

Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational Modes of Communication