Share a story about your best learning experience (could be a formal course or something more personal). Why did you enjoy it?
I grew up in a English speaking household, so I was never exposed to a second language naturally. Throughout middle school and highschool I took a couple French and Spanish classes, but I was not very consistant with practicing and forgot them very easily. It wasnt until I had the oportunity to go visit my friend in Spain for the whole summer, during the prior months to going there I was serious about learning the language.
While I was in Spain, I was constantly exposed to the language and I quickly picked up a few basic words and small sentences. Not only was I motivated to learn, but I was very lucky to stay with my friend and her family because they would translate conversations to me, and also teach me something new everyday. A few years later I decided to take a Spanish course at Camosun College, even though it had been a few years since I went to Spain I could still remember a few words and sentences because I had the experiences to look back on to jog my memory.
I want to continue to learn Spanish, because I would love to return back to Spain after I graduate this year and hopefully live there and get a job teaching English as a second language. Learning a language is more difficult as an adult, compared to being a child because our brains do not absord information the same way it used to. I have learnt that being in the country, and surrounded by the culture, makes learning Spanish easier then just reading a textbook, or relying on a digital translator.
Behaviorism is when the learners’ responses and feedback are reinforced and returned and ensuring that learners develop good habits. (Ertmer and Newby, 2018). When I was learning Spanish in class at Camosun, we would have to listen carefully to the professor, memorize responses, and learn the correct form for each feminine/masculine word or formal/informal word. “Learning is accomplished when a proper response is demonstrated following the presentation of a specific environmental stimulus” (Ertmer and Newby, 2018).
Cognitivism is when a learner develops a learning strategy and makes connections to prior experiences (Ertmer and Newby, 2018). After going to Spain and learning a little bit more of Spanish, coming back and being in class, I was able to make connections to my past experiences which helped me learn better.
Constructivism is when Learning takes into account the experiences and interactions of each learner while making meanings and interpretations of what they have heard (Ertmer and Newby, 2018). In the real world, we try new things and are constantly changing. If I ever achieve my goal of living in Spain and being fully immersed into the language and culture, I will develop a constructivist strategy.
References
Ertmer, P. A. & Newby, T. (2018). Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism: Comparing Critical Features From an Instructional Design Perspective. In R. E. West, Foundations of Learning and Instructional Design Technology: The Past, Present, and Future of Learning and Instructional Design Technology. EdTech Books. Retrieved from https://edtechuvic.ca/edci335/learning-theories/#respond
What a wonderful experience learning Spanish! I especially appreciate the way you matched it with learning theories! Learning a foreign language is a complex process. Since it involves personal, linguistic, and socio-cultural aspects of language use, proficiency should be reinforced through various strategies and approaches.