Hanoi Open University Learning Opportunity for All Hanoi Open University Learning Opportunity for All CHAPTER 1 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION ENGLISH LEARNING ONLINE PROGRAM AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE C. CHAPTER 1: INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION ENGLISH LEARNING ONLINE PROGRAM CHAPTER 2: VERBAL COMMUNICATION, NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
CHAPTER 1: INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION ENGLISH LEARNING ONLINE PROGRAM AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE The course aims at providing learners with basic background knowledge of characteristics of America's cultural patterns and some other English speaking countries After the course, students are hoped to Generalize the culture and intercultural communication Learn about the life in the United States as well as some English-speaking countries Develop your vocabulary Improve your conversational ability Recognize the relationship between language and culture Understand cultural patterns of the English-speaking world CONTENTS Chapter 1: Lesson1: Introduction to Culture and Inter-cultural Communication Lesson 2: Making Introductions Chapter 2: Lesson 3: Verbal Communication Lesson 4: Nonverbal Communication Chapter 3: Lesson 5: Personal Relationships Lesson 6: Family Values Lesson 7: Educational Attitudes Chapter 4: Lesson 8: Cultural Conflict Lesson 9: Cultural Adjustment CHAPTER 1: Lesson1: INTRODUCTION TO CULTURE AND INTER-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION Main points of this lesson Definition of culture for the study of communication Definition of inter-cultural communication Intercultural communication in the social life Definition of culture for the study of communication Definition of culture for the study of communication: "Culture is a learned set of shared interpretations about beliefs, values, norms, and social practices, which affect the behaviors of a relatively large group of people.” Here are the elements of cultural definition: Culture is learned from: Parents, other family members, friends or even strangers … The people you interact with as you are socialized The explanation people receive for the natural and human events around them Culture is a set of shared interpretations – a very important link between communication and culture A culture can form only if symbolic ideas are shared with a relatively large group of people Symbolic ideas are the means which all communication takes place and when those symbolic ideas are shared with others, they form the basis for culture Cultures involves beliefs, values, norms and social practices: Beliefs: basic understanding of a group of people about what the world is like or what is true/false Values: what a group of people defines as good and bad or what it regards as important Norms: rules for appropriate behavior, which provide the expectations people have of one another or themselves Social Practices: the predictable behavior patterns that members of a culture typically follow Culture affects behavior: The social practices that characterize a culture give people guideline about what things mean, what is important, and what should or should not be done Thus, culture establishes predictability in human interactions Culture involves large groups of people We differentiate between smaller groups of individuals, who may engage in interpersonal communication and larger groups of people more traditionally associated with cultures Culture will refer to larger, societal levels of organization Definition of inter-cultural communication "Intercultural communication is the process whereby one’s culture affects interaction with a person from another" Inter-cultural communication is an academic field of study and research It helps to understand how people from different countries and cultures behave, communicate and perceive the world The definition of intercultural communication must also include strands of the field that contribute to it such as anthropology, cultural studies, psychology and communication Inter-cultural communication have been applied to many fields such as business, management, marketing, advertising and website design Inter-cultural communication can be defined as the interpersonal interaction between members of different groups, which differ from each other in respect of the knowledge shared by their members and in respect of their linguistic forms of symbolic behavior." For those wanting to dig a bit deeper it may be a good idea to look into the works of Edward T Hall, Geert Hofstede, Harry C Triandis, Fons Trompenaars, Clifford Geertz and Shalom Schwartz Summary Main points of this lesson Definition of culture for the study of communication Definition of inter-cultural communication Intercultural communication in the social life Lesson 2: MAKING INTRODUCTION Making introduction In this lesson, we will understand the ways people greeting eath other in different cultures and some cultural patterns in the world It will help you avoid cultural shock when you communicate with someone from different culture Now, let's start with the main points of the lesson Varieties of Introductions What is in a Name? Use of Titles in Introductions Eye Contact and Handshaking in Introductions Small Talk after Introductions Cultural Variations in Introductions Cultural Notes Varieties of Introductions FORMAL INTRODUCTION STYLE: Use when meeting the older or higher status person than you Use longer sentences, titles (Dr., Mr., Mrs.…), and formal words and phrases (“I would like to introduce you…,” “How you do?” and “It’s a pleasure to meet you”) INFORMAL INTRODUCTION STYLE Use when meeting someone, who is your age or younger than you Use reduced words and sentences and simpler language “It’s nice to meet you” becomes “Nice to meet you”, “How are you doing?” becomes “How ya doing?” Not use titles or last name The relationship between the speakers is comfortable and close E.G: Example & Example 1: PROFESSOR: Mr Lustig, I would like to introduce you to Dr Johns, director of the language institute Dr Johns, this is Mr Lustig, the academic adviser from Bamum College MR LUSTIG: How you do, Dr Johns? DR JOHNS: It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr Dustig I’m glad that we finally have the occasion to meet FORMAL Example 2: FRIEND: I’d like you to meet my friend, Nancy Pipkin Nancy, this is my brother, Jack NANCY: Hi, Jack Nice to meet you JACK: Hi, Nancy INFORMAL Example 3: FRIEND: Hi, George, have you met Bill? GEORGE: No, I haven’t Hi, Bill BILL: Hi! How ya doing? INFORMAL What is in a Name? NAMING ENGLISH Given Middle Family Mary Jane Smith John Edward Jack VIETNAMESE Family Middle Given Nguyen To Linh Pham Quoc Minh 30 November - The National Day of Scotland’s is St Andrew's Day St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland What is in a Name? AFTER MARRIED In American It is traditional for American women to take their husband’s family name when they marry And the family name they were born with is known as the “maiden” name E.g If Mary Jane Smith marries John Edward Jackson, she becomes Mary Jane Jackson and her maiden name is Smith Though most follow tradition today, some women choose t keep their maiden names or hyphenate their last name with their husband’s last name, sometime the husband too In Vietnam The name of the women does not change when she gets married Regionally, however, her name may change according to various customs throughout the county In parts of the Mekong Delta, a married women may be called by her husband’s given name or a number that signifies her husband’s sibling status For example, Mrs Minh (Minh is her husband’s given name), Sister Five meaning the fifth son’s wife In some mountainous villages in the north, name of the eldest child are use as parent’s name The name of children combined with the word “mother” may form a name in some areas of the south Use of Titles in Introductions Formal introductions Often when there is a difference in status or age between two individuals, formal titles and last names are used unless the person of lower status is told to use the first name For example: Accountant (age 50): Hello, my name is Bob Thomas Student (age 20): It’s nice to meet you, Mr Tho In informal introductions In informal introductions there is a tendency to reduce status diffenrences by using first name In more formal situations, the title along with the last name is appropriate For example: Hello, Dr Jame My name is Susan Hall and I would like to ask you about your course Eye Contact and Handshaking in Introduction Direct eye contact and firm handshakes during introductions are customary in the English-speaking countries Looking at a person when you speak to him or her gives an indication of honesty If you don’t have an eye contact when speaking, you will be considered to avoid something or to be dishonest Handshaking is a polite gesture indicating friendship and acceptance When shaking hands, people shake firmly and briefly A firm handshake is a sign of sincerity Prolonged handshaking is not usual in many countries “Small Talk” After introductions are made, there is usually a period of time in which impersonal or trivial subjects are discussed => this type is called “Small Talk” It’s so important because it often helps to maintain conversations and it can lead into interesting discussions The speakers usually use question such as: “Do you live in this area?” or “What are you studying?” but it’s so impolite when you ask someone: “How much money you make? Or “How much does your house cost?” The conversation become easier when two people find that they have something in common For example: The British are cool and reserved and the great topic was create is about the weather In America, the main topic between strangers is the search to find a geographical link Precaution to be safe: This way of shaking hand shows the self-confidence Covering of the hand: This way is used when you know about your friend clearly The softie: A soft handshake demonstrates weakness, lack of confidence, lack of interest Attack: Putting your hand into opponent’s hand palm is the sign of attack The handshaking of the Queen: This way of handshaking point out that you are wise, skillful Cultural Variations in Introductions Styles of introductions, including initial conversations and nonverbal rituals, vary among individuals and situations In addition, styles of introductions vary from country to country For example: An introductions at a business is to be more formal than one made at the party Bowing to show respect is customary in parts of the Far East Also bow is a very important part of greeting someone In Western hemisphere and in other parts of the world-shaking hands in the common practice Putting the palm of the hand to the heart is traditional in North Africa Cultural notes In Afghanistan you should spend at least five minutes saying hello In a formal introduction, Americans often uses titles until they are told they may use first names When two people are introduced by a third person, the first and last names are usually given Note: In less formal introductions, last names may be dropped The following is a list of titles used in introductions and conversations (Except when noted, these titles are followed by a person's last name.) The following phrases may be used if a name given in an introduction is not understood or is forgotten Informal: - Excuse me, I didn't catch your name - I’m sorry, what is your name again? - Could you spell your first name? That will help me pronounce it better Formal: - May I please have your name again? - would you please repeat your name? In traditional introductions, a man shakes a woman's hand if she extends her hand first However, this custom is changing and some men offer their hand first Some women shake hands with each other although the majority sill not, and younger women shake more often than older women Summary Varieties of Introductions What is in a Name? Use of Titles in Introductions Eye Contact and Handshaking in Introductions Small Talk after Introductions Cultural Variations in Introductions Cultural Notes CHAPTER 2: VERBAL COMMUNICATION, NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION Lesson 3: VERBAL COMMUNICATION The main points of this lesson In this lesson we will learn: Rules and Styles of Speaking Directness and indirectness Invitations Speaking and Refraining from Speaking Different Ways of Expressing Common Needs Language Style Initiating and Maintaining Conversations Cultural Notes Definition of Verbal communication What is verbal communication? The basis of communication is the interaction between people Verbal communication is one way for people to communicate face-to-face Some of the key components of verbal communication are sound, words, speaking, and language But, when you communicate with someone in different culture you must follow the rules and styles of speaking Rules and styles of speaking Tacit rules of speaking: - Acquiring a second language demands more than learning new words and grammars Some important rules: + Permissible degrees of directness in speech + Forms of politeness used in daily conversation Directness and indirectness Americans are direct- honesty and frankness are more important to Americans than “saving face” patch up misunderstandings themselves rather than ask a third party to mediate disputes -speaking countries strongly emphasize directness rather than indirectness in verbal interaction ne whether a culture favors a direct or indirect style in communication is to find out how the people in that culture express disagreements, refusals or how they say “No.” people who are not well known to you The people express disagreements, refusals or how they say “NO” => a culture favour a direct or indirect style For example: in Vietnam: say that “I disagree with you” or “you are wrong” => rude and impolite Directness: requested from strangers or from people not well known to you For example: HOST: would you like some coffee? GUESS: no, thanks I don’t like coffee There are limits with directness of person with people of higher status such as teachers and employers For example: Student: “what has happened to you?” Teacher: “none of your business” Invitations: The unwritten “rules” are confusing and create misunderstandings even for native speakers In English someone might say something that sounds like an invitation but that never results in an actual meeting with another people Of coures, there are invitations that require define definite commitments Compare these two invitations: Invitation 1: KATIE: It was nice talking to you I have to run to class DARLENE: OK, maybe we can meet sometime soon KATIE: Yeah, love to Why don’t you drop by my house sometime DARLENE: Great Gotta go See ya soon Invitation 2: KATIE: Before you leave for your vacation can we get together and have lunch? DARLENE: Sure I’d love to KATIE: How about Friday? Say about 12:30 at my place? DARLENE: That sounds good See you then The first invitation didn’t result in an appointment and was nothing more than a “polite” expression In the second dialogue a genuine invitation was extended because Katie had a definite plan and a specific date, time, and place in mind If Katie had said only “drop by” Darlene probably would not have visited Katie Generally, when people make invitations, they prefer to know the response: “Yes, I can come” or “No, I can’t come” soon after an invitation is extended This is particularly true of dinner and other formal invitations In a question of honesty versus politeness, honesty wins It is considered better to refuse graciously than to accept an invitation and not go The Prairies Invitations can be divided into two kinds: Definite invitations: These invitations include yes/no questions which require specific agreements They both mention a time and a place Indefinite invitations: Notice in the following three invitations, no specific mention of time or place is made The speakers not come to an agreement as to when they will get together Speaking and Refraining from Speaking Many rules governing speed patterns learned in childhood and people grow up thinking that everyone has the same rules for speaking Many people interpret silence in a conversation to mean disapproval, disagreement, or unsuccessful communication They often try to fill silence by saying something even if they have nothing to say Knowing when to take turns in conversation in another language can sometimes cause difficulty Should you wait until someone has finished a sentence before contributing to a discussion, or can you break into the middle of someone’s sentence? In Japan, each participant waits politely for a turn and knows exactly when the time is right to speak Answer to questions are carefully thought out, rather than blurted out In return, according to some Japanese, the Americans ask too many questions not give the other person enough time to formulate a careful answer Different ways of expressing common need Individuals in every culture have similar basic needs but express them differently We use formal and informal speech Each language reflects and creates cultural attitudes, each has a unique way of expressing human need Example: In the United States, indirectness is rule in parts of the Far East In parts of the Middle East a host is expected to offer food several time but in the United States he make an offer only once or twice Complimenting can be a way of initiating conversation Too many or not enough compliments may be interpreted as insincere or as a sign of apathy or dislike Language style In English, as in the other languages, the types of vocabulary, structure and tone used in conversation vary with the situation Example: I’m sorry to trouble you, but could you please tell me where the library is? (formal) Where is the library, please? (semiformal) Where is the library? (informal) Initiating and Maintaining Conversations Initiating and Maintaining Conversations Initiating and Maintaining Conversations is another skill that is needed when one is learning English One way of initiating and maintaining conversations: add extra information to oneword response In English: one of the best way Initiating and Maintaining Conversations is for at least, one of the speakers to ask another question and another give some information For example Abi: Hello Where are you from? Nikki: From Canada Abi: Why did you come to Korean? Nikki: To travel Abi: Oh, How long? Nikki: week Cultural Notes You know that there are several ways of requesting information in English Note the differences between the informal and formal language Informal Can you give me direction to the city library, please? Where is the cafeteria, please? Do you have any information on universities in Northern California? Formal Excuse me, may I ask you a question? Pardon me, would you mind closing the window (e.g in a bus)? Summary That comes to the end of the lesson Let's summarizes the key points of the lesson that you have just studied Understanding what is verbal communication Rules and Styles of Speaking Directness and indirectness Invitations Speaking and Refraining from Speaking Different Ways of Expressing Common Needs Language Style Initiating and Maintaining Conversations Cultural Notes Thank you for attending my lesson and hope you succeed in learning Lesson 4: Nonverbal Communication Hello everyone! Let's start with the lesson today, Non-verbal communication Here, the main points of this lesson: What is verbal communication? Cultural Differences in Non-verbal Communication Gestures Facial Expressions Eye Contact Space Clothing and Bodily Characteristics Cultural Notes What is verbal communication? Non-verbal communication is usually understood as the process of communication through sending and receiving wordless messages In some types of communication, people express more non-verbally than verbally Experts say that communication is composed of different methods: words, voice, tone and non-verbal clues In a conversation or verbal exchange: + Words are 7% effective + Tone of voice is 38% effective + Non-verbal clues are 55% effect - Body language - Emotion of the sender and receiver - Other connections between people Cultural Differences in Non-verbal Communication Non-verbal communication expresses meaning or feeling without words Universal emotions, such as happiness, fear, and sadness are expressed in a similar Non-verbal way in the world Non-verbal differences across cultures that may be a source of confusion for foreigners In order to correctly interpret another culture’s style of communication, it is necessary to study the “silent language” of that culture Gestures Understanding different interpretations of common gestures + Beckon with index finger: “Come here” + Point at something in the room: (impolite in the Middle and Far East) Using index finger + Make a “V” sign: “Victory” + Smile “Understood” - In Japan: “Confused” or “Angry” - In other parts of Asia: “Embarrassed” + Sit with soles shoes showing: (disrespect) + Form a circle with fingers: “OK” - In Brazil and Germany: “Obscene” - In Japan: “Money” Facial Expressions Facial expressions carry meaning determined by contexts and relationships The degree of facial expressiveness also varies among individuals and cultures Our faces easily reveal emotions and attitudes, such as: Smile, Raise the eyebrows, wink, grimace Eye Contact Eye is one of the most important non-verbal channels you have for communication and connecting with other people Eye contact is important because insufficient and excessive eye contact may create communication barriers In English and some cultures, a certain amount of eye contact is required but too much look makes many people uncomfortable Space We all carry with us what have been called “body bubbles” The bubbles are like invisible walls which define our personal space and the amount of it changes depending on the interpersonal relationship When a person’s “space” is intruded upon by someone, he or she may feel threatened and react defensively Clothing and Bodily Characteristics Uniforms have both a functional and a communicative purpose Elements such as physique, height, color, gender, odors and clothing send nonverbal messages during interaction Cultural Notes In France, you shouldn’t sit down in a café until you’ve shaken hands with everyone you know 2 In the Middle East, you must never use the left hand for greeting, eating, drinking or smoking In Russia, you must match your hosts drink for drink or they will think you are unfriendly In America, you should eat your hamburger with both hands as quickly as possible and shouldn’t try to have a conversation until it is eaten Summary That comes to the end of my lesson today Let's summarizes the key points of the lesson You've just learnt: What is verbal communication? Cultural Differences in Non-verbal Communication Gestures Facial Expressions Eye Contact Space Clothing and Bodily Characteristics Cultural Notes