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Wow, long time no blog post! We are officially moving into the third week of the trip and I can’t believe how fast the time has flown by. Our schedule keeps us very busy and we are having so much fun.
I wanted to write a blog post about my experience learning Spanish in Chile because I think that I have made significant improvements since we first touched down in the country on June 2nd. It is amazing what total language immersion can do! I am also learning a lot of different strategies to use with language learners from my wonderful teachers at ECELA. Each week ECELA switches the classes and teachers around. This week I had Javiera. The main goal of the class was to work on descriptions. She often had us talk to other people in the class and describe what they were wearing or what they looked like. I especially enjoyed Javiera’s class because she made it very engaging by using different games. One game was ¿Qué Soy? which in English means “What am I?” It is very similar to the HedBanz game or Heads Up! app where one person puts a card that has a word with the corresponding picture on it on their forehead and everyone has to give them clues as to what it is. I loved playing this game so much that I went to the mall and bought it! I want to use it in the Conversation Club that we are planning to start when we get back to Buffalo. I also think it would be a wonderful addition to my classroom someday. This game is not only great for developing conversational skills and vocabulary, but it is also a lot of fun! Another game we played was Guess Who? This game was perfect to practice asking questions. I love the way Javiera took well known games and modified them for us as language learners. I also want to buy this game when I get back to the states! I also practice my Spanish every day when I eat dinner with my host family. My host mother’s son and his girlfriend both agree that my Spanish has improved! It feels good to participate in the conversation even if for a little bit. Before we left for Chile we did an online module about critical incidents which are the result of cultural differences. They can be either awkward or funny! I experienced this when we went out with the group for coffee. The server came around to take our orders and I decided not to get anything because I do not drink coffee. I quickly asked Karly what the Spanish word for nothing is and she told me it was nunca. As a result when the server got to me I said “Nunca.” She looked confused and said “Nunca?” to which I replied “¡Si!” It turns out that the word nunca actually means never. In other words, she asked me if I wanted coffee and I said NEVER! It’s a funny story and was definitely a learning experience! Now more than ever I want to learn Spanish. I truly admire the UMayor students who can speak fluent English in addition to their native Spanish. I think that being able to speak more than one language is an incredible skill and gift. I plan to continue practicing Spanish when I get home to Buffalo and one day I hope to be fluent! I also have dreams for my future children to speak Spanish. I bought a Spanish children’s book called 1,000 Cosas. It has the seasons, colors, numbers, and other vocabulary. Thanks for reading! ¡Hasta luego!
8 Comments
Christiney
6/16/2019 08:24:44 pm
Hi Kelly! I’m so glad to read what a wonderful time you’re having. Isn’t it crazy what direct immersion can do?! I swear my Spanish improved more during the three weeks in Chile than three years of high school. Keep soaking it all up!!
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Dr Schmidt
6/16/2019 11:23:36 pm
Thank you for remembering our online module!!! That was such a funny story. You are becoming a spanish speaker and you will continue to become more fluent. ¡Vamos a practicar juntas!
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Dr. Garas-York
6/17/2019 09:27:04 am
Hi Kelly! It sounds like your Spanish has improved a ton. That's wonderful. I really liked reading about all the games you used to work on your Spanish. What a great idea! Enjoy the remainder of your time in Chile.
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Kelly
6/18/2019 12:04:29 pm
Hi Kelly,
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Dr. Patti
6/18/2019 12:13:27 pm
Thanks for the great post. I enjoyed reading about your excitement in learning Spanish. I feel the same way! I can tell you are thinking so much about developing your own language, as well as how to help the future language learners in your classroom. You are developing many ideas and strategies which is fantastic! Have a great week 3!
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Dr. Hashey
6/19/2019 11:48:25 am
Kelly--I love the idea of the Conversation Club. It's the only real way a second language will stick, so I hope you will make it happen! Sitting around a dinner table with your host family brings back fond memories of my own studies abroad. One night, we had French, Thai, Swedish, and Americans around the dinner table. We somehow got to sharing the names of animal noises in each of our languages (e.g., meow, oink, etc.)--the differences around the table had us howling. Enjoy those small moments!
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Dr. Julie Henry
6/20/2019 07:57:40 am
It sounds like you are really paying attention to what is working in building your own language competency and coming up with good strategies to keep this going when you return. Have a great final few days, Kelly!
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Solicitar un préstamo ahora
1/23/2024 03:17:15 pm
Buenos días señor / señora,
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Author¡Hola! My name is Kelly and I am an undergraduate student studying elementary education at Buffalo State. This is the first time I will be traveling outside the United States and Canada. I am very excited about the opportunity to learn more about Chilean culture, work with English language learners, improve my Spanish skills, and conduct research! I hope you’ll enjoy reading about my Chilean adventures! ArchivesCategories |