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 Humanities at WCU      January 21, 2020

WCUSpanish has partnered with the Writing and Learning Commons to offer a new and, we hope, exciting opportunity for our students in all our Spanish language classes: Spanish Conversation Assistants. SCAs are here to help with oral communication practice in a relaxed and friendly environment. You can schedule a meeting with them the same way you would schedule tutoring (via Navigate). Keep in mind, SCAs are not course tutors, so they will not help you with your homework (unless your homework is just practicing your spoken Spanish). Two of our SCAs have recently spoken with us about their job and about themselves. Here are Gillian Hernandez and Isabelle Hernandez (no relation)

Where do you come from? 

Gillian: I was born in Concord, NC. 
Isabelle: I come from Fayetteville, NC. 

Where is your family from? 

Gillian: My family is from Honduras.
Isabelle: My family is from Puerto Rico and Colombia. 

What are you studying here at WCU? 

Gillian: I am double majoring in Forensic Science and Biology, with two minors in Spanish and Japanese studies. 
Isabelle: I am majoring in Anthropology with a concentration in Forensics accompanied by a minor in Spanish.

How did you become a Spanish Conversation Assistant? 

Gillian: Dr. Lori Oxford mentioned that she was planning to create a position in the WaLC for students to engage in Spanish conversation with native Spanish speakers. I thought it could be a learning experience for not only the students, but myself as well.  
Isabelle: I became a SCA by Lori Oxford's recommendation. Shout-out to Lori!

What is a typical session with students for an SCA? 

Gillian: When it’s a student’s first appointment, I always begin with introductions to help the student feel comfortable and talk about how the day has been for each of us. At times I would also encourage students to describe pictures or talk about topics that might pique their interest.
Isabelle: A typical session with students for an SCA simply consists of chatting, just in Spanish! If a student has a specific topic they need to practice in Spanish or simply would like to get used to speaking the language, this is a great place to do that.

What do you like most/least about your job?

Gillian: What I like most about the job is meeting new people and learning about what they plan to do with their Spanish speaking skills. I have found that what I enjoyed the least from this job is having appointments cancelled minutes before a session begins.
Isabelle: What I enjoy most about my job is that it is a judgement-free zone where students can build up their confidence of speaking a different language. 

What would you like students to know about your job as an SCA? 

Gillian: I may be a native speaker, but that does not mean that I am perfect in my Spanish speaking skills. I do my job because I enjoy it, and I want others as well as myself to grow from this experience. SCAs are here to help you! 
Isabelle: My job as a SPA is not only to guide conversations in Spanish, but if students simply need to rehearse oral presentations for this language, I can assist with that as well.

 Is there anything any of you would like to add?

Gillian: Students should practice speaking the language because it is an important part of the learning process. You can’t learn without practice. You need to immerse yourself in the language.