Gina´s social and psychological distance to Spanish language, culture and speakers

Social Distance:

1) Social dominance: Whose social group is more dominant?
As a native-English speaker in the US is a little bit hard to learn Spanish especially if you live in the Spokane area. Although Spanish is US second language you would have to became friends with native-Spanish speakers like Mexicans. One thing that you have in favor are 15 Chilean students that will be here until December. Good practice.
2)Integration pattern. How much do learners integrate, or do they do most things apart from the mainstream?
You are integrated when you have classes with us. You have received a great deal of culture from us and have heard us talk. A positive thing here in EWU, there are many Mexican workers that you could talk to, and maybe visit some towns where most of the people talks Spanish, like Bridgeport. Maybe you are a little bit away but you can try to reach for someone from a Spanish speaking country.
3) Enclosure. To what extent does learner's group have their own resources for interaction, such as church, publications, clubs?
We have seen many places where Mexican people work. We know that there are radio stations where the main language is Spanish, the Mexican group in EWU is a good group where you could practice your English so you have a lot of possibilities to interact.
4) Size. How large is the group?
It is a huge group of native-English speakers in the US considering that English is the main language. Although there are many native-Spanish speakers living here too. In Spokane especially Cheney we do not see a huge variety of Latin cultures, the main one being Mexico.
5) Cohesiveness. How much does the group stick together?
I think that you stick with your group all day long, here in the US there isn't enough choice, but you can reach Latin American people if you have the time. Remember us.
6) Cultural congruence. How are the cultural patterns and customs of the home culture and the target culture alike or different?
They are very different, even though you have to consider that Spanish speaking countries are very different between each other also. But speaking from experience and being a Chilean myself there are a lot of differences: food, music, dance, greetings, attitudes, and more.
7) Attitude. what attitudes do the home and target cultural groups have toward one another?
In my personal experience in the US and for what I heard Spanish speaking people do not have a very good attitude towards Americans and vice versa.
8) Intended length of residence. How long does the learner intend to stay in the new country?
Well you are living in the US, you work here and your family is here, your whole live is here so I would say you will stay here forever. Maybe a trip to Chile would be good for you, you should try.

Psychological Distance
1) Motivation. Does the learner want to learn the new language?
Yes she does, you have asked us many times to help you with your Spanish, so there is a positive motivation to do so.
2) Attitude. How does the learner feel toward the target-culture group?
I think you have a very positive attitude towards our culture and other Spanish speaking countries, you are very excited to learn our language and also very interested in our traditions.
3) Culture shock. Is the learner suffering culture shock?
No because you are still living in your country, you use English to communicate every day, you are living your daily life routine.