When I am drafting letters and emails to people and companies, I write in English, since these are targeted to Americans. This made me think about the Language Pledge that I took when I signed up for the Middlebury study abroad program.
The language pledge states:
To take fullest advantage of my time abroad, I will maintain the spirit of the Middlebury Language Pledge to speak only the language that I am studying. I understand that no English is to be used in the School’s offices, except in emergency consultations with the Director and his or her staff. I recognize that the Language Pledge plays a major role in the success of the academic, social, and personal dimensions of my time abroad, both as a symbol of commitment and as an essential part of the language learning process, as proven by the successes of the summer Language Schools. I understand that speaking the target language with other students on the program as well as with locals will help me focus my energies on the acquisition of the language and internalize the patterns of communication and the cultural perspectives associated with the language.
Violation of the Language Pledge deprives me and my fellow students of a valuable opportunity. By signing this, I agree to abide by the Middlebury College Language Pledge.
Technically, the assignment for my práctica is breaking the Language Pledge. However, the Director of the program is aware of this - and, in fact, arranged the internship for me. I haven't spoken English yet at the práctica, which might change as coordinating with companies grows to include phone calls as well as emails and letters. Nonetheless, I am writing in English.
What is the difference, though, between writing in English for my internship and writing in English here on my blog? Why is the latter allowed? Also allowed: maintaining contact with family/friends from home in English, listening to music in English. Am I hindering my Chilean immersion experience with any of these activities?
Perhaps a bit, but I don't think by any large amount. My immersion is pretty complete - I'm living with a Chilean family, taking classes in Spanish at the local university, and there's only one other American studying in the city. If I spent all of my free time talking with people from home, that would be a different story - needless to say, I don't. I think that the Language Pledge is much more important for Middlebury's summer language schools, since there's less immersion and more temptation to break the pledge (because you are still in an overall American environment).
As for music, a lot of the music that I hear has lyrics in English. I still hear Call Me Maybe at least once a week :).
It was a foggy morning outside Universidad Católica del Norte
The fog usually clears out by the afternoon, though.
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