Intercultural Communication for Teaching & LearningDr. Phyllis NgaiDepartment of Communication StudiesThe University of Montana-Missoula

Workshop OverviewFocus: Intercultural communication/transcultural

pragmatics (interpersonal & instructional) Cultural-general skills Foundation for on-going development3-step competence-development approach: 1. Self-discovery2. Cross-cultural comparison 3. Simulated application/Case study

Intercultural Contextconsider cultural influences

1.Encoding effectively?

2.Using culturally appropriate channels and

forms?

3.Decoding correctly?

Transcultural Pragmatics (English for Intercultural Communication)

Linguistic factors: grammar, speech acts Socio-cultural factors: cultural rules, social

norms, contexts/situations

Encode: Communicate what you intend to convey

Decode: Understand what people really mean

Cultural Dimensions: range of possibilities

Linear----------------------------------------Circular

Deductive----------------------------------Inductive

Direct-----------------------------------------Indirect

Status conscious----------------------------Egalitarian

“We” focused-----------------------------”I” focused

Linear(Northern European, European American)

-Introduction of topic (name)-Main point 1:family-Main point 2:education-Main point 3:work -Main point 4: future goal-summary of main points

Circular (African, Latin, Arab,

Asian, African American, Native American, Hispanic American, etc.)

TopicMy Name

gift

My Family

My hobbies

My goals

sister

Band

Strict teacher

Circular(African, Latin, Arab, Asian, African American, Native American, Hispanic American, etc.)

Me? My culture? My counterpart? My counterpart’s culture?Linear----------1-------------2------------3-------------4-------------5------------

Circular

Proposal A

Because most of our production is done overseas now, and uh, it’s not really certain how the government will react in to the debt situation in the United States, and since…uh…I think a certain amount of caution in committing to TV advertisement is necessary because of the expense. So, I …um…suggest that we delay making our decision until after the New Year.

Proposal B

I suggest we delay making our decision until after the New Year. That’s because I think a certain amount of caution in committing to TV advertisement is necessary because of the expense, and because most of our production is done overseas now, and it’s not really certain how the government will react to the debt situation in the United States.

Cross-cultural Comparison

Inductive Pattern

Delay the topic Feel the mood or

the position of the other person

Present the reasons. Save the main point

till the end.

Deductive Pattern

Get to the main point right away.

Then present the reasons one by one.

Me? My culture? My counterpart? My counterpart’s culture?

Inductive----------1-------------2------------3-------------4-------------5------------Deductive

Direct vs. Indirect Explicit/verbal. Details verbalized. Silence avoided. Reactions

oblivious. Schedule specific. Feels threatened

by ambiguous situations.

Implicit/nonverbal. Details implied. Silence meaningful. Reactions reserved Time open, flexible. Tolerate uncertainty,

ambiguity.

Me? My culture? My counterpart? My counterpart’s culture?

Direct----------1-------------2------------3-------------4-------------5------------Indirect

Are there cultural meaningsimplied in nonverbal cues?

Facial Expression

Glaze & Eye Movement

Gestures

Space &Territory

Postures BodyMovement

Touch Use of Time Conversation

RegulatorsArtifacts Physical

appearanceVocalics

Case Study: What would you have done differently?

The Proposal ProcessDirect----------U.S---------------F--------Indirect

Extremely direct culture

I have something to talk to you about my paper.

I am little bit disappointed in my grade.

But you just only look at your point of view and you didn’t recognize my point.

I spent a lot of times to do research on this paper.

I honestly ask you to reconsider my paper.

Your grading is not fair and so it must be changed.

What would USAmericans say/do?

I just came by to see if I could talk about my paper.

I think it’s in my opinion maybe the grade was a little low.

I put a lot of time and effort into it.

I would appreciate it if you would reconsider my grade.

Extremely direct culture

I have something to talk to you about my paper.

I am little bit disappointed in my grade.

But you just only look at your point of view and you didn’t recognize my point (complaint/criticism).

I spent a lot of times to do research on this paper.

I honestly ask you to reconsider my paper.

Your grading is not fair and so it must be changed (criticism/demand).

USAmerican

I just came by to see if I could talk about my paper. (explanation)

I think it’s in my opinion maybe the grade was a little low. (softened complaint)

I put a lot of time and effort into it.

I would appreciate it if you would reconsider my grade. (request)

Direct----------X---------------------------US------------------Indirect

Egalitarian vs. Status Conscious Status, age, gender

shape how one communicate.

Extensive set of rules, regulations, & rituals. (more formal)

Prefer a humble style esp. with superiors (self criticism). Authorities should not

be (openly) challenged.

Communicate in more or less the way with everyone.

Try to minimize rules and rituals

(more informal) Prefer assertiveness (self enhancement) One can disagree with

superiors. More democratic

decision making.

Me? My culture? My counterpart? My counterpart’s culture?

Egalitarian-----------1-------------2------------3-------------4-------------5------------Status

Case Study

The New ESL Teacher

Status -------S-------------------G------EgalitarianConscious

“We” --------S-------------------G------------ “I”

“We” focused vs. “I” focused

Interdependent. Relationship

paramount. Decision=what is

good for the group. Try to blend in. Prefer avoidance. Desire or even

demand consensus.

Independent. Autonomy paramount Decision=what is good

for the individual. Try to speak out. Prefer confrontation. Accept and encourage

dissent among members.

Conflict and competition are natural.

Me? My culture? My counterpart? My counterpart’s culture?

“WE”-------------1--------------2--------------3--------------4--------------5--------------”I”

Culture shapes teaching, learning, communication

Linear----------------------------------------Circular

Deductive----------------------------------Inductive

Direct-----------------------------------------Indirect

Status conscious----------------------------Egalitarian

“We” focused-----------------------------”I” focused

Transcultural Pragmatics (English for Intercultural Communication)

Socio-cultural factors: cultural rules, social norms, contexts/situations

Decode: Understand what people really meanInterpret intended meaningsInterpret innuendo

Encode: Say what you intend to sayDetermine when, how, what to sayCommunicate appropriately and effectively