Intercultural Communicative Competence (Assessment)

In Technology Modules 1 and 3, we created a class wiki in which you were asked to describe various aspects of your life as a teenager living here in America. The topics discussed were family, education, social life, social ettiquette, holidays, and global perspectives.  Later in class, you were given an opportunity to meet several Latin American students who are now living in the U.S. and attend our school. Afterwards you contributed to our class blog by describing the cultural observations that you noted during your conversation with your Latino schoolmates. 

At this point, we are ready to assess (inforrm and reflect on) what you have learned  from a cultural standpoint based on the following objectives: your attitudes regarding the perspectives and practices of Spanish-speaking cultures, your knowledge of the events, perspectives, and practices of Spanish-speaking cultures, and your ability to interpret these events, practices, and perspectives by explaining them and relating them to your own. 

Assessment Scenario  You are conversing with a friend who goes to another school and is also a student of Spanish.  In your discussion,  your friend asks you if you know about one of the cultural events, practices, or perspectives listed below as they relate to Latino teenagers.  Choose one of the topics below and come prepared to give your response in front of the class in pairs.  Your response should include a description of the event, practice, or perspective as you have understood it, your opinion of the event, practice, or perspective, and a cultural comparison with your own. 

1.  ¿Qué significa de ser parte de una familia latina?
2.  ¿Qué son la reglas de salir con miembros del otro sexo? (rules of dating)
3.  ¿Qué significa "Usted" y cuándo no tenemos que usarlo?
4.  ¿Qué es el día de los muertos? ¿Por qué se celebra?