ĐỀ THI KẾT THÚC HỌC PHẦN MÔN GIAO THOA VĂN HÓA

1.How important is cross cultural communication? 2. What essential principles are applied to crosscultural communication? 3. Why do people think cultural adjustment can take so long? 4. Distinguish cultural generalizations from stereotypes. Give specific example. 10. What does silence indicate in conversations? Silence can indicate a variety of things in conversations, depending on the context and the people involved. Silent language or nonverbal communication is to convey a message outside without using words. In some cases, silence can be seen as agreements in communication because it can be seen as a way to let the speaker know that you have heard and understood what they are saying. However, there are some cases when silence can be interpreted as disagreement: prolonged silence: If a silence lasts for a long time without explanation or expression of opinion, this can be interpreted as disapproval or lack of interest in the topic being spoken. Silence can also be an indication of confusion or uncertainty. When someone is unsure of what to say or how to respond, they may remain silent. Finally, silence can be a sign of respect. In some cultures, it is considered polite to remain quiet while someone else is speaking.11. Culture does not explain all behavior. Explain this. Culture does not explain all behavior. It does greatly influence behavior, but so too do: an individuals personality; age, gender, economic and educational levels, life experiences, relationships, and specific situations. This is because culture is often compared to an iceberg as it has many visible and invisible layers. The visible part of culture (language, food, appearance) can be easily observed and experienced by outsiders. These are the things that people think of when they hear the word culture. However, these visible elements represent only a small part of what makes up a culture. The invisible part of culture (communication style, beliefs, attitudes, values, perceptions) may not be immediately obvious to outsiders. These aspects of culture shape how people understand and interact with the world around them, including their relationships with others, their ideas about success and failure, and their perceptions of morality and justice. Like an iceberg, the invisible elements of culture are much larger and more complex than the visible ones.

ĐỀ THI KẾT THÚC HỌC PHẦN

GIAO THOA VĂN HÓA

Ngành: Ngôn Ngữ Anh

Đại học Ngoại Ngữ Đà Nẵng

1.How important is cross cultural communication?

Cross-cultural communication is very important because it is communication(verbal and non-verbal) between people from different cultures: Communicationthat is influenced by cultural values, attitudes, and behavior; the influence ofculture on people’s reactions and responses to each other Therefore, cross-cultural communication is incredibly important in today's interconnected world.With people from different cultures interacting with each other in varioussettings, it is essential to understand cultural differences and adaptcommunication styles accordingly Effective cross-cultural communicationhelps to avoid misunderstandings, build relationships, enhance business success,and promote inclusivity Developing cross-cultural communication skills canlead to more successful interactions and collaborations with people from diversebackgrounds In short, cross-cultural communication is a crucial skill forpersonal, professional, and societal success in our increasingly globalized world

2 What essential principles are applied to cross-cultural communication?

Essential principles in cross-cultural communication:(1) What is logical andimportant in one culture may seem irrational and unimportant in another (2) Ondescribing culture people tend to focus on differences and overlook similarities.(3) Stereotyping may be inevitable for people who lack frequent contact withanother culture (4) Cultural differences exist due to gender, age, socialeconomic standard, and environment (5) Understanding another culture is ajourney not a goal

For example (5), a traveler from the United States who decides to visit Japan.Before the trip, they had notions about Japanese culture based on what they hadheard or seen in movies and books However, once they arrive in Japan and startinteracting with locals, they realize that there are many nuances andcomplexities to the culture that they were not aware of (local customs, traditions,and social norms ) which is a lifelong process, and each interaction andexperience adds to their knowledge and appreciation of that culture

(5) Proverb: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step: Hành trìnhvạn dặm bắt đầu từ bước chân đầu tiên (Chinese proverb)

3 Why do people think cultural adjustment can take so long?

Cultural adjustment can take so long because there are 4 -5 periods of thecultural adjustment process: honeymoon period; culture shock; initialadjustment; mental isolation; acceptance and integration However, individualsexperience the stages of adjustment in different ways Some people neverexperience a "honeymoon" period because the circumstances of their coming to

a new country may have been too painful In addition, certain stages last longerfor some than for others, depending on such factors as the newcomer'spersonality, age, language and cultural competence, support from family andfriends, financial situation, job status, and motivation for being in the newcountry

For example, A Vietnamese student studying abroad in the US experiences thestages of adjustment in different ways with a woman going to work abroad inTaiwan

4 Distinguish cultural generalizations from stereotypes Give specific example.

Generalization Stereotypes

Definition A statement describing

general behavior that does not apply all the time.

are exaggerated beliefs and images about groups of people and are often based on a lack of information or contact.

It acknowledges that people within a culture or group may have different individual beliefs, values, and behaviors, but seeks to identify commonalities and trends within that culture or group

Often negative assumptions or generalization are made about a particular group of people

Based on objective and proven data gathered through research and analysis.

Based on limited information or personal biases rather than objective data

Can be harmful and perpetuate harmful myths and biases

For an example of generalizations, Italians value family and close-knitcommunities This is supported by cultural practices such as large familygatherings, strong family ties, and a strong sense of community

For an example of stereotypes, all Italians are involved in organized crime

5 What are typical symptoms of cultural shock? What should people do to overcome them?

The symptoms of culture shock: Homesickness; feeling isolated or lonely;difficulty understanding and adapting to the new cultural norms and customs;anxiety, irritability, or frustration; confusion and disorientation; loss ofconfidence or self-esteem; a sense of being overwhelmed or out of control; evenphysical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and insomnia

To overcome culture shock: Be patient, don't try to understand everythingcommediatly; Use observation skills; Seek out support from others; learn thelocal language and communicate with locals to gain a better understanding ofthe culture; Keep an open mind and be willing to adapt to new ways of thinkingand behaving; take care of physical health; give your action permission to makemistake; ask questions;

6 Choose one typical country Explain some outstanding cultural features and taboos of the country.

Part of the East Asian cultural sphere, Vietnamese culture has certaincharacteristic features including ancestor veneration and worship, respect forcommunity and family values, and manual labor religious belief religion inVietnam has historically been largely defined by a mix of Buddhism,Confucianism, and Taoism, known in Vietnamese as the Tam Giao (“triplereligion”).

There are some taboos of Vietnam, for example, on Tet holiday: It is consideredunlucky to have debts during Tet, as it is believed to bring financial difficulties

in the coming year It is considered bad luck to cry or argue during Tet, as it isbelieved to bring negative energy for the rest of the year Sweeping the floorduring Tet is believed to sweep away good luck or breaking dishes during Tet isconsidered bad luck, as it is believed to bring financial loss

7 What are the major differences between formal communication and informal communication?

factors

Formal communication Informal communication

Setting Used in professional or

Has no set rules or procedures

Structure Generally structured,

organized and planned

Can be spontaneous andunplanned

Language Uses proper grammar and

Example A school principal meets

with two parents to discusstheir child’s enrolmentapplication Or a teacherand a parent meet regularlyevery month to discuss andreview adjustments for astudent with disability

A teacher calls the student’sfather to tell him his child hasnot eaten her lunch for thepast few days, and suggeststhey discuss how to approachthis Or a parent and teacherhave a quick discussion afterschool about an upcomingschool concert

8 What are major differences between oral communication and written communication?

Basic for Oral communication Written communication

information and messagethrough spoken words isoral communication

Interchange of message,opinions and information inwritten or printed form iswritten communication What is it? Communication with the

help of words of mouth

Communication with thehelp of text

communication Transmission of

Example Radio, podcasts, sings,

speech, conversation,recordings,…

Billboards, advertisements,banners, postcards,reports,

9 What does “the complexity of people’s cultural identity” mean? Explain the four settings of cultural resources

The complexity of people's cultural identity refers to the way that individualsoften have multiple cultural identities, shaped by factors such as family, gender,race, class, religion, nationality, and personal experiences People's culturalidentity is a diverse and layered mix of cultural influences that determine theirvalues, attitudes, behaviors, and worldview.

-You find the politics of the society or social group in setting 1 ‘distasteful’ You

counter this by drawing on a particular aspect of personality, literature andideology from your own society or group and present your culture as being aleft-wing activist For example, (1) African-Americans have been subjected tothe ideology of white supremacy for centuries This ideology has shaped theirexperiences, beliefs, and values in ways that are unique to their cultural identity.(2) African-American literature has been an important tool for exploring culturalidentity in the United States which have helped to shape the cultural identitywhile also making it more complex and multifaceted (3) personality such asresilience, resourcefulness, and adaptability have played a significant role inAfrican cultural identity

-You find the moral code in setting 2 ‘strange’ You reassure yourself by

drawing on religious beliefs, clothing and etiquette in your own society or socialgroup and present your culture as a religious one with particular dress codes.The traditional clothing of Japan such as the kimono, yukata, and hakama are animportant aspect of Japanese cultural identity Wearing traditional clothing isnot just a matter of fashion but also conveys respect for culture and tradition.The clothing also reflects the wearer's social and economic status For example,the colors and patterns of kimono may change depending on the occasion, time

of year, and the wearer's age

-The people in setting 3 do not understand who you are because they have no knowledge of where you come from You strengthen your identity by drawing

on ceremonies, festivals and family values in your society or social group andpresent these as the basis of your culture.To strengthen my identity in a settingwhere others do not understand me, I can draw on the ceremonies, festivals, andfamily values of my society or social group to present a clear and meaningfulpicture of my culture This might involve actively seeking out opportunities toshare these aspects of my identity with others, whether through participating incultural events or sharing stories and experiences with others

-You cannot identify with the ‘high culture’ (the arts etc.) of setting 4 In this

setting where I cannot identify with the "high culture" of the community, I candraw on the fine arts, cuisine, and music of my own society or social group topresent a clear and meaningful picture of my culture These cultural elementsare not only a source of pride and identity for me, but they also reflect the richhistory and traditions of my community By sharing these cultural elements with

others, I can help to create a greater appreciation for the diversity of humanexperience and the value of different cultural traditions.

10 What does silence indicate in conversations?

Silence can indicate a variety of things in conversations, depending on thecontext and the people involved Silent language or nonverbal communication is

to convey a message outside without using words In some cases, silence can beseen as agreements in communication because it can be seen as a way to let thespeaker know that you have heard and understood what they are saying.However, there are some cases when silence can be interpreted as disagreement:prolonged silence: If a silence lasts for a long time without explanation orexpression of opinion, this can be interpreted as disapproval or lack of interest inthe topic being spoken Silence can also be an indication of confusion oruncertainty When someone is unsure of what to say or how to respond, theymay remain silent Finally, silence can be a sign of respect In some cultures, it

is considered polite to remain quiet while someone else is speaking

11 Culture does not explain all behavior Explain this.

Culture does not explain all behavior It does greatly influence behavior, but sotoo do: an individual's personality; age, gender, economic and educational

levels, life experiences, relationships, and specific situations This is becauseculture is often compared to an iceberg as it has many visible and invisiblelayers

The visible part of culture (language, food, appearance) can be easily observedand experienced by outsiders These are the things that people think of whenthey hear the word "culture." However, these visible elements represent only asmall part of what makes up a culture

The invisible part of culture (communication style, beliefs, attitudes, values,perceptions) may not be immediately obvious to outsiders These aspects ofculture shape how people understand and interact with the world around them,including their relationships with others, their ideas about success and failure,and their perceptions of morality and justice Like an iceberg, the invisible

elements of culture are much larger and more complex than the visible ones

12 What are the basic elements of where we come from?

The juxtaposition of the unexpected: This refers to the unexpected elements thatcan arise in cross-cultural communication, such as unexpected cultural norms,values, or beliefs For instance, a gesture that is considered polite in one culturemay be considered rude or offensive in another culture Being aware of theseunexpected elements can help individuals navigate cross-culturalcommunication more effectively.

Complex, many-layered, many-faceted society: This refers to the fact thatsocieties are complex and multi-layered, with many different cultural traditions,values, and beliefs Understanding the cultural background and context of theperson or group you are communicating with can help you to better understandtheir perspectives and communicate more effectively

Complex representation – unexpected people, artifacts, and instances: Thisrefers to the unexpected people, artifacts, and instances that may arise in cross-cultural communication For instance, a person may encounter unexpectedartifacts or cultural symbols that they are not familiar with, or they mayencounter unexpected individuals who challenge their assumptions or beliefs.The non-essentialist view has no difficulty with the notion that cultural attributescan flow between societies

13 How many classroom seating arrangements are there? Which is preferable for language learning?

There are 19 classroom seating arrangements: pairs, grid, presentation, groups offour, corner work, U-shape, double U-shape, U-shape large classroom,conference small classroom, conference large classroom, herringbone, rows,computer combination, butterfly, eye, circle, large groups, horseshoes, banquet

Rows seating is often considered the most formal arrangement in a classroom

setting for several reasons First, it promotes a sense of order and structure,creating a more disciplined learning environment The rows allow the teacher toeasily move around the classroom and maintain control over the students.Additionally, this seating arrangement minimizes distractions and encouragestheir work It also facilitates communication between the teacher and students aswell as among the students themselves

Semi-circle is often considered the least formal because it is hard for an

instructor to move into the audience, separating him/her from the students.Student participation seems to drop off towards the back of the room unlesssound reinforcement is used Students have to move back and forth several timeswhich can cause disruption in the classroom In addition, sitting like this canmake it easier for students to talk in private in class, making learning lesseffective

Horseshoe is the most encouraging student participation The horseshoe offers

a modified roundtable setup, where all participants face each other while theinstructor can move about the room It encourages discussion between studentsand the instructor A horseshoe setup can be particularly effective when theinstructor wishes to project and discuss course-related material in front of theclass

The traditional classroom arrangement, with students sitting in rows facing

the front of the room, tends to discourage student participation due to several

reasons Firstly, it creates a hierarchical power dynamic where the teacher isseen as the authority figure and the students as passive recipients of knowledge.Secondly, it limits student interaction and collaboration, which are essential foractive learning Finally, it restricts students' autonomy and freedom to engage indiscussions or ask questions, leading to decreased participation

Horseshoe or semicircle form of seating arrangement enables students to

have the most eye contact with teacher In this form, students are aligned in the