"Your background in Spanish" "Why you're taking this class"

Question

Hello, I am in online Elementary Spanish II at my university and have some questions about a video that I need to make of me introducing myself in Spanish. Two of the questions that I am unsure how to answer are "Your background in Spanish" and "Why you're taking this class and what you hope to benefit from it."

Is there anybody that can help guide me in a direction on how to even begin answering either of these? I know that nobody knows my own personal experiences, so it would be hard to answer them for me, but I just need some general guidance. I do not feel as though Elementary Spanish I taught me enough to form complete sentences to these questions. Thank you!

Welcome to SpanishDict. We ask that all new members complete their profiles with their native language, and what level of Spanish you feel you are, like, beginner, intermediate, etc. as well as gender. - rac1, Aug 24, 2016

Did you speak with your professor? - rac1, Aug 24, 2016

Yes I do. She is extremely unhelpful. This is the first assignment of this class so far. For the "why you're taking this class" question, I have "necesito hablar espanol porque necesito hablar con mis companeros de trabajo." - bshae22, Aug 24, 2016

Are you doing the course entirely online? Is there a procedure to ask for another teacher? Sometimes encouraging people to do better than they think they can takes tough love. - Mardle, Aug 24, 2016

Have you been told by your employer to take the course ie must speak to colleagues in Spanish or is it you want to speak to them in Spanish? Do any of them speak enough English to help you prepare your answers? - Mardle, Aug 24, 2016

Thank you for filling out your profile , worth a vote from me. - ray76, Aug 25, 2016

Yesm Mardle, I am taking this course online. My schedule didn't allow me to take it on campus like I would have preferred. I ended up making a decent grade in Spanish I, but I had a LOT of help from a friend of mine who speaks Spanish as his first lang. - bshae22, Aug 25, 2016

I have no been told that I need to take this by employer, but it is required for my degree. However, it is very useful to know in the criminal justice system. - bshae22, Aug 25, 2016

Sorry I keep posting on this. The word limit to comment on posts wasn't enough for me to write out my entire response. I hope that you're able to see where I posted it as an answer. - bshae22, Aug 25, 2016

Answer 1

If your only background in Spanish is Spanish 1, you can say:

(1) Mi única experiencia (or "formación) en español es mi primera clase --español I.

(2) Tomo esta clase porque ---------(whatever your reason is) Like, "Quiero visitar muchos países en la América Latina (o España). or Quiero aprender español porque es necesario donde trabajo. (It's necessary where I work)

Now if you could come up with some sentences in English, and translate them yourself, we will be happy to make any corrections.

I knew you would be able to help - Mardle, Aug 24, 2016

Thank you so much! I believe I "answered" my post instead of commenting on it. So I hope that didn't confuse anybody. - bshae22, Aug 25, 2016

I too sometimes have trouble with Spanish you aren't the only one - cay_ru_15, Aug 25, 2016

Answer 2

Welcome to the forum. Can you add your level of English to your profile eg advanced/ fluent. I looked up the course you were doing and see there are lots of courses throughout the USA so I assume that is where you are based.

I guess background in Spanish is your knowledge eg keen watcher of Spanish films perhaps a grandmother who spoke Spanish. It looks like most courses require you to have taken level 1. Depends how long you have been told to make your video as to how much you say.

Why the course? In other words what is your motivation for improving your Spanish - travel? Speaking to friends/ neighbours/ family Cultural reasons wanting to read news media in another language/ books/ poetry/ music/ films.

If all you have learnt is basic sentences then do your best. Would previous students have posted their efforts on YouTube or social media?

I like Notes in Spanish which has great podcasts and videos which will have enough for you to make a video.

There a number of hispanohablantes here who will help if you are stuck on a phrase. Daniela in particular will be able to help.

I am sure the video is to judge your confidence and whether you can speak any Spanish. I am good at reading and listening but my speaking needs work. Given your level they know you have lots to learn.

Hi, Mardle. I wish I could get bshae 22 to comment on my post. Sooo many people never come back after seeing the first answer. - Daniela2041, Aug 25, 2016

She hasn't commented on my comments either. - Mardle, Aug 25, 2016

I am sorry!! I am on here now. I will respond to all of your questions now. My apologies. - bshae22, Aug 25, 2016

Answer 3

What I did here was merely to correct any obvious errors, which weren't too many, not to change your style to that of a native speaker. If you are in a beginning class and start writing like Cervantes, your teacher will get suspicious.

"And here are my responses: 1. Hola, me llamo (insert my name, not sure if people give names on this site) 2.Soy de Oklahoma 3. Me especialización es ciencia forense y justicia penal 4. Soy estudiante del cuarto año ( can't find an exact translation for what a senior in college would be considered) 5. Mi única experiencia en español es mi primera clase- español I. 6. Tengo esta clase para mi diploma (I can't find an exact word for "degree") 7. Mi experiencia en clases en línea es buena 8. yo tomo español, justicia penal, y estadística. 9. Me gusta viajar y leer libros."

In some areas the word "senior" is recoginzed, when talking about the American Ed. system. - Daniela2041, Aug 25, 2016

:) - FELIZ77, Aug 25, 2016

Answer 4

Thank you all SO much for helping. I am so terrible at speaking Spanish. I can read it much better than I can write it or speak it. Here are the following questions that I am supposed to respond to: 1. who you are 2. where you're from 3. what your major is 4. your classification (Freshman, etc.) 5. your background in Spanish--high school classes and travel to Spanish speaking countries 6. why you're taking this class and how you hope to benefit from it 7. your experience with online courses 8. What you’re studying this semester 9. Any other information you'd like us to know about you—hobbies, family, career, etc.

And here are my responses: 1. Hola, me llamo (insert my name, not sure if people give names on this site) 2. De donde Oklahoma 3. Me concetración es ciencia forense y justicia penal 4. Soy un senor ( can't find an exact translation for what a senior in college would be considered) 5. Mi única experiencia en español es mi primera clase- español I. 6. Tengo esta clase para mi título (I can't find an exact word for "degree") 7. Mi experiencia en clases en línea es buena 8. yo tomo español, justicia penal, y estadística. 9. Me gusta viajar y libros.

This makes me feel so silly sometimes because I know this is simple for some people, but I am finding it to be very challenging for me. Thanks so much for all of your help, it is greatly appreciated!

The answer box is used for giving answers. Further comments should be added in the comment box. - Oshnaj, Aug 25, 2016

The word limit on the comment boxes didn't allow me to type all of this out. Please let me know if there is a way in which I can copy and paste this info into a comment box. Sorry about that. - bshae22, Aug 25, 2016

The answer box or the using the "edit" feature on the question are both proper. - Daniela2041, Aug 25, 2016

This is fine the way you did it, Bshae. - rac1, Aug 25, 2016

Answer 5

I am taking a Spanish class because I want to be a Physical Therapist and its good to be bilingual.

Now, what you have written here is what belongs in a "comment" box. You'll get it right pretty soon. :) - Daniela2041, Aug 26, 2016