Why Spanish
I am in Spanish class because I have the desire to understand the world I live in in a deeper and more enriched way then I already do through learning a second language. There are many benefits that come from learning a foreign language, but the ones that follow are especially important to me. The biggest reason that i want to learn Spanish is so I can communicate with a larger number of people in the field of work that i wish to pursue, social work. To be a social worker and someone who is trying to help people, speaking another language is a major plus that would add to my ability to be culturally competent and helpful. I think that it is very important to be able to meet people at where they are and not expect them to meet you where you are. This is a step in overcoming white and language privilege. Another reason i want to learn Spanish is so I can travell and immerse myself in to the far reaching beauty of the world and its culture. Finally i think that it would be beneficial for my brain and my thinking in all areas of life if I could learn another language, even to the point of learning more than just one more. These are my reasons for wanting to be in Spanish class this year and in the future.
During the Skit Travel Project we were given the privilege and opportunity to construct a travel scenario with a vast pool of Spanish vocabulary at our finger tips. After my group was given Airport Vocabulary we were able to apply our creativity and unprecedented wit to craft an act that conveyed the dynamic and diverse culture of the airport. We incorporated dance, a commonly shared passion of our group to in-hence our theatrical skills and convey our Spanish vernacular in a more opaque way to our audience and their varied levels of understanding. My group employed tactics of repetition and humor to memorize and prefect our drama. We also did what research was needed to enrich our cultural accuracy and understanding.
. My experience with this project was jubilant and entertaining. I valued both the opportunity to collaborate with my peers in a creative Passion filled with humor and further my understanding off language interpretation. It helped me to understand communication at many levels. When not knowing another language very well using body language and images aids us in communication and begins to fade cultural and language barriers. I had a positive experience supporting my peers in their acting comfort and speaking comfort. I personally grew from this project in my confidence and ability to listen to other people no matter how they are communicating to me. All in all this was an experience worth remembering.
. My experience with this project was jubilant and entertaining. I valued both the opportunity to collaborate with my peers in a creative Passion filled with humor and further my understanding off language interpretation. It helped me to understand communication at many levels. When not knowing another language very well using body language and images aids us in communication and begins to fade cultural and language barriers. I had a positive experience supporting my peers in their acting comfort and speaking comfort. I personally grew from this project in my confidence and ability to listen to other people no matter how they are communicating to me. All in all this was an experience worth remembering.
Park Elementary Experience
During the last few weeks of Spanish class we went to Park Elementary School and worked as short term mentors for students who were in the program English as a second language learner's. We accompanied our younger peers throughout there day and helped them with anything they needed in the day. Whether that meant school work or having an extra buddy to hang out with in class. We also were there in my case to learn Spanish form our younger peer as I experienced reading a book with Fernanda at the end of the day. In class we prepared for this by practicing reading books and making cards to introduce ourselves.
My experience at park was a very positive one. I was only able to be there the second time that we went to the school because of a track meet. However the second day that we arrived was a cool experience for me. I was paired with a 5th grader named Fernanda. I was exited to work with her and honestly a little nervous because her Spanish and probably English too, was a lot better then mine. We had a very relaxing day and my relationship with her for that short period of time we were together more felt like a friend. We started of the day leading each other to a tree blindfolded and asking each other whether the trees that we led each other to, was the tree that we picked. This activity was a wonderful ice breaker and allowed us to find our flow. Fernanda did not need any other help in her classes and we went through the rest of the day smoothly and lightly. In the end of the day we read a book together. We read only the Spanish version and Fernanda helped me pronounce things. It was more fun listening to her read the book.
From this small experience I would reflect with a little bit of awe as well as systematic bashing when I think about the experience of Bilingual kids in schools. Fernanda moved to Durango about two or three years ago. She is now fluent in English and crushing Elementary school. One of the first things that i think is that people learn and adapt very quickly. Fernanda may be an outlier but it is amazing how quickly people need to learn when the need to. My second question is this. Are we spouting people who are learning a different language and a different culture in the way that we need to. I would hope that through the success of changing there is also a large emphasis on upholding strengthening all aspects of a child's life including their language and culture. I would say that struggles for someone in this situation can be vast and complex. Anywhere from not fitting in socially to being left behind and shamed in classes.
This experience has effected me personally by showing me that we can learn from many different people in many different ways. In my case I was learning from Fernadna. There are lot of ways and places to be ads stand. Depending on the way that you you can either catch what life has to offer you or miss it. By finding humility and knowing that i may not be that important in Fernada's education but may be a good friend for a day, both her an I were able to experience reality. In this reality i believe that we were both happy. I also never know what I actualy did offer her.
My over all take away from this experience is that human connection is a true medium of learning. Although people may be complex and difficult it is a far better task to try to understand each other then dull repetitive to do lists. To sum it up, real learning is immersion into minds, hearts, and souls.
My experience at park was a very positive one. I was only able to be there the second time that we went to the school because of a track meet. However the second day that we arrived was a cool experience for me. I was paired with a 5th grader named Fernanda. I was exited to work with her and honestly a little nervous because her Spanish and probably English too, was a lot better then mine. We had a very relaxing day and my relationship with her for that short period of time we were together more felt like a friend. We started of the day leading each other to a tree blindfolded and asking each other whether the trees that we led each other to, was the tree that we picked. This activity was a wonderful ice breaker and allowed us to find our flow. Fernanda did not need any other help in her classes and we went through the rest of the day smoothly and lightly. In the end of the day we read a book together. We read only the Spanish version and Fernanda helped me pronounce things. It was more fun listening to her read the book.
From this small experience I would reflect with a little bit of awe as well as systematic bashing when I think about the experience of Bilingual kids in schools. Fernanda moved to Durango about two or three years ago. She is now fluent in English and crushing Elementary school. One of the first things that i think is that people learn and adapt very quickly. Fernanda may be an outlier but it is amazing how quickly people need to learn when the need to. My second question is this. Are we spouting people who are learning a different language and a different culture in the way that we need to. I would hope that through the success of changing there is also a large emphasis on upholding strengthening all aspects of a child's life including their language and culture. I would say that struggles for someone in this situation can be vast and complex. Anywhere from not fitting in socially to being left behind and shamed in classes.
This experience has effected me personally by showing me that we can learn from many different people in many different ways. In my case I was learning from Fernadna. There are lot of ways and places to be ads stand. Depending on the way that you you can either catch what life has to offer you or miss it. By finding humility and knowing that i may not be that important in Fernada's education but may be a good friend for a day, both her an I were able to experience reality. In this reality i believe that we were both happy. I also never know what I actualy did offer her.
My over all take away from this experience is that human connection is a true medium of learning. Although people may be complex and difficult it is a far better task to try to understand each other then dull repetitive to do lists. To sum it up, real learning is immersion into minds, hearts, and souls.