Learning English at SENA

Introduction This blog post will reflect on the key activities from our transversal English class this term and the valuable skills we developed through them. Each assignment was strategically designed to target specific areas of language acquisition: • The oral presentation significantly improved our speaking fluency and confidence. • The written document strengthened our grammatical accuracy and expanded our lexical range. • The audio recordings challenged us to perform scripts naturally and apply modal verbs in authentic contexts. • The unit on "Critical Thinking, Media Literacy, Crime and Punishment" equipped us with practical, real-world vocabulary while demonstrating how English functions in genuine societal discussions. • Our mind map served as a foundational tool, helping us visualize and connect key grammar concepts and vocabulary through personalized learning strategies. Together, these activities provided a comprehensive framework for developing both linguistic com...

    Activity: Presentation Video Our presentation featured Venus, the pet of our teammate, Luis. This activity served as a practical exercise to practice describing physical characteristics and personality traits in English. Using a pet as the subject made the task more engaging and allowed us to practice talking about a loved one in another language. The most difficult aspect, however, was mastering the correct pronunciation of the words. Video link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16EmyRLsKWwON7Sv5boTu2IP06lfghm4/view?usp=divesdk

    Written Document Activity: This writing activity was highly beneficial for expanding our vocabulary and, most importantly, for honing our grammar skills. While we found researching information to be straightforward, the primary challenge was writing in English accurately. We often struggled with using sentence structures that differ significantly from those in our native language.

 Audio 1 Attitudes, Beliefs, and Obligations Recording this audio was much more than just reading a script. As learners, it challenged us to pronounce clearly, use the right intonation, and overcome our fear of speaking English. We learned to listen to ourselves, correct each other, and appreciate teamwork to create a cohesive final product. This hands-on experience truly strengthened our confidence and showed that making mistakes is an essential part of learning a language. One of the most challenging aspects was pronouncing unfamiliar words. Audio link: https://youtu.be/q9p_nDSYqa4?si=GULMMrOtc78wrGgd

Audio 2:Career Path, Plans, and Decision-Making Recording this dialogue helped us realize that practicing grammar like conditionals in real-life contexts makes them truly meaningful. We weren't just repeating rules; we were applying them to express our professional goals and dreams. It challenged us to focus on pronunciation, fluency, and conveying authenticity, even when the sentences felt complex. Through this exercise, we learned to collaborate, give each other feedback, and understand that language fluency isn’t about perfection—it’s about being understood and connecting with others. Most importantly, it showed us that English is a tool for sharing our ambitions with the world.The biggest challenge was mastering the logical connections between different conditionals and applying them correctly in context. Audio link: https://youtu.be/q9p_nDSYqa4?si=GULMMrOtc78wrGgd

Media Literacy and Critical Thinking This topic taught us that the skills we use to analyze media are the same ones we need to master a language. In English class, we learned to 'read between the lines' to understand tone, intent, and cultural context, not just grammar rules. It trained our ears to be critical listeners and our minds to be careful interpreters. The greatest challenge was finding the precise words in English to question information, debate ideas, and express nuanced opinions. But this struggle was also the most valuable part. It forced us to think more deeply before we spoke, making us more precise and thoughtful communicators in any language.

  Crime and Punishment Discussing Crime and Punishment in English challenged us to articulate complex ethical ideas with precision and empathy. We learned that language is key to debating justice, and that true understanding often lies in acknowledging the gray areas between right and wrong. The greatest difficulty was finding the appropriate vocabulary to navigate these sensitive moral landscapes and express nuanced opinions in a foreign language

Mind Map This mind map on English learning helped us review and acquire new grammar and vocabulary. It represents the personalized strategies we used to study, combining official Sena materials with our own research into A1-level English documents. The greatest challenge was condensing all our learning into concise ideas that effectively captured each concept.