Speaking Español with Spanish - Intermediate (OSP12) Peer Tutor Aurora Jackson

In this article, the Board of SASS interviews Spanish - Intermediate peer tutor Aurora Jackson. We hope that this article will help current and future Spanish - Intermediate students in their academic journey!

What did you enjoy about Spanish - Intermediate (OSP12)?

In OSP12, I really enjoyed the communication aspects of the class! Talking in breakout rooms about topics that were in the chapter we were studying was super helpful for improving my communication skills and it was fun! I also really enjoyed the creative aspects of some of the projects we did, like coming up with our own story and designing powerpoints :)

What challenged you the most in Spanish - Intermediate (OSP12)? How did you overcome those challenges?

The thing that challenged me the most in OSP12 was the different verb tenses and grammar topics we studied. I initially had a hard time understanding the different conjugations and when to use which verb tense, but I overcame these challenges by allocating more time in my schedule to practice and creating flashcards to help me study! Additionally, I met with a tutor 3 times in the beginning of the year to practice learning strategies and eventually felt confident enough on my own.

What tips do you have that could be useful to students taking Spanish - Intermediate (OSP12)?

Try not to stress too much! Ultimately the goal of the class is to learn, and learning a new language can be very hard at first. Take the time to practice the information you learn, review your notes, and make appointments with your teacher in office hours or a peer tutor for extra help.

About how much time did you spend a week working on assignments and preparing for discussion sessions in Spanish - Intermediate (OSP12)?

I don’t have an estimate because it varied week by week, but it was definitely a lot of work because I put in extra time to study besides just completing the assignments so I could do well in the class.

What did the typical week in Spanish - Intermediate (OSP12) look like?

A typical week in OSP12 depended on where we were in the chapter of our book. The first week in a new chapter would consist of learning the vocabulary words and doing activities in breakout rooms that related to the topic. Later, the teacher would go over the new grammar subject(s) and we would also do related activities. There would almost always be an ~hours~ worth of Supersite activities due by Friday afternoon.

What was your favorite topic covered in Spanish - Intermediate (OSP12)?

My favorite topic covered in OSP12 was when we learned about the vocab relating to music because it was all new and interesting to me!

Do you have any resources (i.e. study tips, useful websites) to share with students who want to take the course?

Set up a meeting with a tutor, peer tutor at OHS, or your teacher during office hours! Discussing where you need help with someone who has experience in the subject has consistently proved to be helpful for me.

Aurora Jackson is a peer tutor for Spanish - Intermediate and Spanish - Beginner and can be found on the Writing and Tutoring Center.

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