I work with a lot
of Spanish speaking people. I talk to them about regular everyday life however
I spend most of our communication times trying to understand what they are
saying. I often get them to repeat what they said multiple times because I am
interested in learning Spanish. Sometimes
it is difficult to communicate with them when they are speaking only Spanish. I
know a little bit of Spanish but not enough to understand a full conversation.
I communicate with them differently. I use more nonverbal language, I often
times show pictures on the computer to help them understand what I am saying. I
sometimes talk slower to see if they will talk to me slower. When communicating
with a Spanish speaking parent I always make eye contact and have a translator.
I also use nonverbal cues and read their facial expressions. Also I do a lot of
hand written communication with parents. I will write down what I would like to
say and have a Spanish speaking Co-worker translate it for me.
I too work in area where the Hispanic population is very dominant and I have found myself talking slower to them, using non-verbal communication and a lot of visuals as well. I think that we are both fortunate to have co-workers that can translate for us. I think that it important to maintain eye contact and use expressions still when communicating even when there is someone there translating for you because you still want the family to know your concerns, but that you yourself is still comfortable with communicating with them.
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful that you are trying to communicate with them like you do. I like that you want to learn the language as well as look at nonverbal communication. They have to really like you that you put forth so much effort in order to communicate with them. The eye contact and the translator is wonderful. I know a lot of deaf people that get mad because people talk to their translator instead of talking to them by looking at them and communicating with them. It is really important.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Hispanic population is taking over in the United States. I have a total of eight children in my classroom and eight is African American and the other four is Hispanic but what helps my classroom is co-worker is a Hispanic teacher and I have learn a lot of Spanish from her. So when I talk to the Hispanic parents I look at their mouth and body language when they are communicating.
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