Intercultural communication for the Business English classroom

1
Intercultural communication for the Business
English classroom

• Steve Flinders
• steve.flinders_at_york-associates.co.uk
• 14th November 2004

2
Outline

• Introduction
• A way into intercultural communication
• Concepts and activities
• Conclusion

3
Introduction

• To operate successfully at international level,
  working adults need
• Professional know-how
• Language knowledge
• Professional communication skills
• Soft management/People skills
• Intercultural communication skills

4
Its more than just speaking the language ...

• They wanted to eat at 6 but I wasnt hungry.
• Theyre always late for our meetings.
• I have to present this in Germany next week.
• Can I ask her if shes pregnant?
• I can understand everyone except the Americans.

5
Intercultural competence depends on

• Knowledge
• Own culture / Other cultures
• Skills
• Language / Communication
• Attitudes
• Tolerance of difference / of ambiguity

6
Two kinds of intercultural communication training

• Cultural briefing (culture-specific)
• Cultural sensitisation (culture-general)

7
A way into intercultural communication

• 1 Why does culture matter?
• 2 Types and stereotypes
• 3 Profiling national/corporate/group cultures
• 4 Culture and communication

8
The Intercultural Resource Pack by Derek Utley
9
The Intercultural Resource Pack by Derek Utley

• Introduction to the subject by James R.
  Chamberlain recommended reading
• 50 classroom activities in 6 sections
• Detailed notes for the teacher - procedures and
  possible outcomes - for every activity
• Also links to other activities further reading
• Language reference for students

10
(No Transcript)
11
Concepts and activities

• Definitions of culture
• The culture iceberg
• The culture onion
• The bell-jar graph
• Cultural influences (for cultural profiling)

12
(No Transcript)
13
(No Transcript)
14
(No Transcript)
15
(No Transcript)
16
(No Transcript)
17
Levels of successful communication

• Getting your message across
• Getting your message across effectively
• Getting your message across effectively, with
  subtlety and sensitivity