Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational Modes of Communication
Exploring Culture
There is a unit on Lingro Learning, exploración cultural, that helped me to gain a better understanding of Hispanic culture. TalkAbroad also helped me understand this as well. During both TalkAbroad’s, I was able to speak with two partners both from different countries. Marianela Arguedas, one of my partners, is from Costa Rica. My other partner, Jessica Quiroa, is from Guatemala. While speaking in both conversations, I found that music is different compared to here in the United States along with how the environment is here and there. These TalkAbroad’s helped me to see a worldview that each country regardless of similar language.
In Module 12 exploración cultural unit, I learned about the current environment in Costa Rica. The rise of electrical energy produced by renewable sources which has its effects on air quality. Below is an example of some research I did for the assignment during this unit:
Engaging in Communities
It is very important to engage in communication with an immediate community. Peers and professors, for example, are an important community to be able to have contact with. In this class, I was able to talk to my peers as well as my professor. Various assignments throughout the semester on Canvas with discussion boards, the Flipgrid assignment, and even the conversations with my professor were all ways I was able to bond in a class community. Here is an example of a discussion board from module 14:
This discussion board helped me to converse more in a class community. I liked how the Module 14 was about the arts because it is a passionate interest I have that was easier for me to talk about in the assignment.
Interpersonal Communication
The TalkAbroad assignments this semester helped me to practice holding a conversation while speaking Spanish. This activity was very fun, but a little nerve-wracking since my first language is English. Comparing both of my TalkAbroad assignments, I think my Spanish has definitely improved. With the wide range of vocabulary I have learned throughout the semester as well as the new grammar skills, I was able to put them to use with this activity.
The most challenging part of this assignment was trying to process what my partner was asking or saying while also responding. During one of my conversations, I felt overwhelmed because of how “face-paced” it was. However, she was very understanding and helped me out with the questions she asked by giving examples. I definitely feel like I excelled in how to construct questions as time went on for both conversations. The 12.2 Vocabulary unit definitely helped with this. Moreover, I overcame my difficulties by having confidence in what I was saying even though it may not be right at times. Also, practicing more with a friend helped me as well. Below is an example of my second TalkAbroad recording:
Presentational Speaking
In Lingro Learning, there are speaking assignments during the Aplicar units. During Module 13, I had to speak about immigrants from a Spanish-speaking country and answer the questions provided. I chose Perú as the country I wanted to speak about. Below is an example of my audio assignment:
What challenged me the most was trying out new words. Since I have prior knowledge of Spanish before this class, whenever I am asked a question I answer with basically the same answer. What helped me overcome this challenge was to write down what I want to say and try practicing it before submitting an audio assignment. I feel like I excelled the most at using new vocabulary, but I would definitely try to use more grammar skills in as I continue practicing Spanish in the future.
Interpretive Listening
Duolingo helped me with listening to Spanish as well as Lingro Learning also has listening activities I participated in. These activities helped me to improve my listening skills. Here is a recording from the Module 16 Gramática assignment:
The most difficult part of these assignments was trying to translate what was said. Sometimes I wish the program had an option to slow down the audio so I can fully understand. I am still working on overcoming this, but I am practicing taking one word at a time by replaying the audio to try to gain an understanding.
Interpretive Reading
I had the opportunity to do research during a few Lingro Learning assignments. It was definitely a lot more challenging to try to find information for these assignments, but at the same time it was very cool to see how different countries view certain topics. Going more in depth to exploring culture with various Spanish-speaking countries as well as learning how to read in Spanish have benefited me a lot while in this class.
What I took away from this activity was gaining a better understanding of how certain Spanish-speaking countries talk about the same topic. I thought it was very interesting how some of these countries have a similar view to the United States with certain topics like body positivity, for example. Here is an example of the Investigar assignment from Module 11:
While researching about body positivity in various countries, I found that Bolivia shows a lot of support for the body positivity movement. I also found there was a campaign that began in 1976 about discrimination against people who are obese.
Works Cited
NosotrasOnline. “Body Positivity: Cuida Tu Cuerpo asÍ Como Es | Nosotras Bolivia.” NosotrasOnline, 14 Mar. 2023, www.nosotrasonline.com.bo/magazin/nuestro-mundo/body-positivity-cuida-tu-cuerpo-tal-como-es-nosotras-bolivia. Accessed 22 June 2023.