Small Group Chats

We have our second Small Group Chats this week. These are times when 3-4 of you will get together online to have a conversation in Spanish. The idea is to practice conversation skills and also talk more about some of the topics in the course. For this second session, possible topics include:

• Talk about what cultural traces you've found around you
• Get questions answered about the Traces of Culture project and class in general

Go to Sign-up in the Sakai menu and choose a 20-minute time slot. There are slots on Thursday, September30 at 11:00am-12:00pm and 8:00-9:20 pm. You only need to sign-up for ONE slot.

When it's time for you to meet, go to the Meetings area on Sakai and choose the Small Group Chat that fits your session.

Please be as close to right on time as possible. Do not enter the meeting more than 5 minutes before your time slot so you don't interrupt the conversation before yours.

If you cannot make either of these time slots, please let me know, and we'll see what can be arranged.

Grading: This is for a grade and will be evaluated based on the following. The main thing I'm looking for is that you stay in Spanish and that you understand each other. Don't let grammar freeze you up! I want you to try to speak correctly, but that is not the main goal of this conversation.

• Communication skills – How well can you be understood by others? Do you use strategies such as restating or circumlocution when faced with difficulty?
• Comprehension – Do you understand what others are saying and respond appropriately?
• Fluency and pronunciation – Do you speak clearly and avoid pauses or excessive stumbling? Are you able to complete your thoughts?
• Language control – How well do you demonstrate control of the language structures we’ve targeted this semester?
• Vocabulary use – Do you use a variety of words appropriately?