We have begun the meeting with a review of what we had learned during our first meeting. We understood that we had not recalled all phrases and words discussed during the last meeting and supported one another to remember.
This contributed to our feeling more confident during the process of learning new things. We also discussed our week and discussed some of our personal experiences and this made the meeting to feel more of a friendly conversation rather than a lesson.
At this meeting, food was a prominent topic. We talked about various types of fruits and vegetables, and the common cuisine in our countries. Lucia, Andrea and I rehearsed Persian words and numbers associated with food whereas Alijon rehearsed the Spanish ones. The remaining part of the conversation, particularly in giving out meanings or seeking clarification was in English, since it is the language that we all could understand easily. These interactions helped us to not only acquire new vocabulary but also learn exciting cultural things. Indicatively, Alijon informed us that in Tajikistan most of the fruits are produced locally and hence they taste more natural. We, in its turn, exchanged information about how local markets and traditional food are also significant in our culture in Spain. Such discussions helped me understand that food is a mirror of the lifestyle in every country and it is something that unites people by a common experience.
From this meeting, I sense that my ability to pronounce Persian words has gotten a bit better, particularly with basic and brief terms. I think that learning in places other than the classroom can also help you retain information. I think that the environment also influences teaching.
Naturally, there were certain challenges. I mixed words in Spanish and Persian, or I forgot how to pronounce a certain word properly, but I considered it a natural part of the studying process. It was easier to be involved in the conversation than it was during the first meeting because I was more relaxed and confident. Looking back upon this experience, I can note that this meeting made me realize that I should have better listening and speaking skills, and I should learn that cultural exchange is not only limited to words, but to the sharing of day-to-day experiences which can make us look at the world in a different light. In my opinion, this relaxed and informal environment also played a significant role in our progress and helped us all to continue learning out of one another.
Comments