Reflection #10
Reflection #10
In this class today we continued our one on one practice with different vocabulary such as, rooms in the house, prepositions and prepared for their final examination. My role today was to assist in pronunciation and help with translations from english to spanish. The issues that are being solved in real world English are learning useful English vocabulary for everyday life. The textbooks focus on practical language for example, how to rent and rome, how to create checks, how to describe the kind of home you want.
With today's hours, I was able to clarify my own interest in working with the Spanish speaking community. Speaking and learning Spanish is a very stimulating experience for me. Even outside of the classroom, I want to continue improving upon my Spanish while working side by side with other Spanish speakers. I like the bilingual environment of the classroom. Bilingual classrooms and environments allow there not to be feelings of superiority of a dominant language. There is an exchange of languages each time someone speaks. I am able to learn very specific Spanish that isn't often taught in schools. For example vocabulary related to buying homes, specific furniture and groceries supplies. This kind of vocabulary is only relevant usually when you are living in a country.
Other examples of work that address these issues are in school ESL courses. Or having more onsite translators and translations with these companies and in stores to make communication easier. This makes me think just how simple minded many Americans can be. Even though there is a large enough number of Spanish speakers in the US there is still a dominance of English and refusal of more bilingual integrations into all aspects of life. I do think there is more integration of language than there was in the past. I just relate the US to other countries who have people who speak up to five languages and are still able to function in more equitable ways as it relates to language integration. Because of my service learning I am learning the importance of language and through language we can give people the impurities to live the life they want.