Conversation Partner Meeting #1

           On September 24^th, I had my first meeting of the semester with my conversation partner Paula.  Beforehand, I did not know what to expect.  I had a few concerns about how our first meeting would go.  Specifically, I was worried about being able to understand her English and whether or not we would be able to hold a conversation for an extended period of time.  The thought of multiple awkward silences during our conversation was enough to irk me.  However, I figured that we would make it work and went into the first meeting of the semester with a positive attitude.

            Paula and I met at Union Grounds in the BLUU at 1:00 p.m.  Our first encounter was slightly awkward because we did not know what each other looked like.  Initially, Paula walked right past me.  However, she eventually realized who I was and we shook hands, sat down, and began our conversation.   Paula started off the meeting by telling me a little bit about herself.  I learned that she was from Columbia and that she moved to Fort Worth four years ago.  She moved here on behalf of her husband, who is an American.  Upon her arrival in America, Paula got married to her husband.  She told me how her friend back home had set her up with him and how happy she was to be married and living in America.  When Paula came to the states, she knew little to no English at all.  She described her struggles to understand what people were saying around her in some detail.  Paula would always have to get her husband’s assistance in order to understand what someone was saying to her.  Her troubles with English motivated her to start learning and become a member of the IEP at Texas Christian University.

            Additionally, Paula and I talked about what the Intensive English Program was like and how it was benefitting her.  She explained how there are multiple sections to the program including speaking, reading, writing, and grammar.  Paula described her least favorite section as grammar and her favorite section as speaking.  Paula spoke English well, but insisted that her grammar still needed an immense amount of work.  She encouraged me to correct her if she was making any errors while speaking.  Her passion to become a better English speaker was evident.  Paula was also excited about getting to meet with me and speak English for extended periods of time.  She believes that the experience will help her proficiency with the English language grow tremendously.  Her biggest struggle with understanding the language thus far has been the ability to understand what other people are saying to her.  Taking this into account, I made sure I was talking slowly and clearly for the duration of the conversation. 

            As our conversation went on, Paula talked about her life in Columbia and how the culture differed from what she has been exposed to in America.  Paula told me how tight knit all her family, friends, and neighbors were.  She made it clear that she missed her family members and friends more than anything else.  She mentioned that she had not once returned to Columbia in the four years that she has been living in America.  However, Paula is hoping to go home to visit her family members and friends this December.  She also mentioned that she talked with her mother and father on a regular basis through an app the iPhone has.  When living in Columbia, Paula went to college and majored in International Business.  She also stressed the fact that she wants to go back to school after she completes the IEP program.  She wishes to get a degree pertaining to oral hygiene, and work with her husband, who is a dentist.

            I am looking forward to future meetings with Paula.  Our relationship is off to a good start and we will both do everything in our power to keep it that way.  I am positive that we will learn a great each other a great deal about each other this semester.