Page 6 - Learning to Learn

READING EXPERIENCE 1: PERFORMING LIKE A STAR
6 L EARNING TO LEARN: BECOMING A SELF-GROWER
Dissecting a Performance
In order to identify the different components of performance, we need to isolate a performance.
Fortunately, we have Jennifer whose goal is to become fluent in Spanish and work as a journalist on a
Spanish-language publication.
Let’s examine her performance as a student striving to meet this goal...
Jennifer’s
Identity
Jenn has decided to become a reporter for the student newspaper so that she can
begin to learn what journalists do on a day-to-day basis. She is also looking forward
to the workshops journalists from local papers give for the college newspaper staff
every month. When she has established a comfortable schedule, Jenn would like to
volunteer at a local Spanish-language newspaper written by middle and high school
students, La Voz Latina (The Latin Voice).
Jennifer’s
Learning
Skills
Although Jennifer has studied Spanish for many years, she has not lived near any
large community of Spanish speakers. Her perceptions of individual cultures come
from reading and the few Spanish speaking friends she has, mainly from Mexico. Now
that Jenn has joined the Spanish-language lunch group on campus, she can meet
students from all over: Spain, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Argentina, and Puerto Rico. She
has begun to observe and appreciate the cultural differences among these students,
including the use of idioms, the sense of personal space, and general world views.
Jenn notes down her perceptions once a week and checks them against the next
week’s interactions.
Jennifer’s
Knowledge
Jennifer now realizes that becoming a successful journalist means that she has a
good deal to learn about the cultures, journalistic practices, history, and contemporary
issues of the Spanish-speaking world. She is enrolled in a class on Current Issues
in Latin America, and the instructor gives assignment on reading Latin American
newspapers, either in Spanish or in English. Jenn is putting her new knowledge of
current affairs to good use with her Spanish-language lunch group which is always
happy to share opinions on these issues.
Jennifer’s
Context
When Jenn does her newspaper assignment for class, she also tries to analyze the
differences in writing style and use of sources between an American and a Latin
American newspaper. This is more challenging than she thought it would be, but it
strengthens her plan to work on a Spanish-language newspaper here in town. Jenn is
now more aware of the different contexts she has worked in as journalist, the school
yearbook and the college newspaper. Working on a local paper seems to be the next
step and then maybe writing articles in Spanish.
Jennifer’s
Personal
Factors
Jenn has a good roommate, but she still finds it hard to study Spanish at home because
their space is so small. She often goes to the library or the language lab. Although she
worked and saved money over the summer, Jenn is considering getting a part-time
job during the semester. She is debating whether a better budget or a job would be
the smartest way to have a little extra money and still succeed at her academic goals.
Jennifer’s
Fixed
Factors
As a native English speaker, Jenn will always have that as her language base. She
may always have a bit of an American accent in Spanish. However, Jenn has a good
ear for languages, and that has helped her Spanish pronunciation. She does not have
a good sense of rhythm, though. She has realized she will probably never be a world-
class Latin dancer though going to dances will be part of fitting into Latino culture.