Controlled Practice: How to Gain Cross-Cultural Awareness

READING

Exercise 1. In your own words and from your own experience say why cultural awareness is important, then read the situation and answer the question: What was the monkey's mistake?

The Monkey And The Fish

 

A typhoon had stranded a monkey on an island. While waiting for the raging waters to recede, it spotted a fish swimming against the current. It seemed obvious to the monkey that the fish was struggling and in need of assistance. Being of kind heart, the monkey decided to help the fish. At considerable risk to itself, the monkey reached down and snatched the fish from the threatening waters. It carefully laid the fish on dry ground. For a few moments the fish showed excitement, but soon settled into peaceful rest. The monkey felt happy and satisfied. It had successfully helped another creature.

adapted from Cross-cultural Connections by Duane Elmer

 

Exercise 2. Read the answer to the question in a book by Duane Elmer Cross-cultural Connections (p. 15-16) Use the link to find the book: http://www.amazon.com/Cross-Cultural-Connections-Stepping-Fitting-Around/dp/0830823093

Answer the question: In what way might people be like the monkey?

 

Exercise 3. Read and translate the definition of cross-cultural awareness (1) and the text about communicating across cultures (2):

(1) Cultural awareness is “developing sensitivity and understanding of another ethnic group. Awareness and sensitivity also refer to the qualities of openness and flexibility that people develop in relation to others. Cultural awareness must be supplemented with cultural knowledge …” (Diane L. Adams (Ed.), Health issues for women of color: A cultural diversity perspective, Thousand Oaks, SAGE Publications, 1995)

 

(2) Communicating Across Cultures

 

In the global economy cross-cultural awareness is becoming more and more important. Today more than ever, business is conducted in some kind of multicultural environment ‐ at the office or with customers and colleagues abroad. Many companies, however, do not offer their personnel the necessary training to succeed in the global marketplace. Misunderstanding and poor communication are the result. Furthermore, employees are unable to manage cultural differences, expatriates suffer from culture shock which negatively impacts the company's productivity.

So how can one communicate across cultures effectively? Knowledge of a foreign language is a key element in communicating across cultures. It not only promotes understanding and mutual respect but also gives an insight into foreign cultures and different ways of thinking.

Learning a new language broadens our horizons, builds and strengthens relationships while allowing us to take advantage of new opportunities.

Moreover, cultural competence is now recognized as a critical element to succeeding on the global stage. Intercultural or cross-cultural trainings provide management and staff with the knowledge and tools to develop general and specific intercultural skills in order to work more effectively with international clients or colleagues.

www.acrosscultures.info ‐ Cross‐Cultural Training

Exercise 4. Read the steps of gaining cross-cultural awareness and put them in the right order.

Step _____________. Then try to see the differences. When dealing with people from a different culture keep the differences in mind and try to act accordingly.

Step _____________. Spend some time in a different culture. Observe the local culture, find out the most important do’s and don’ts, take a genuine interest in their customs and traditions.

Step _____________. Try to identify your patterns of behaviour and beliefs. You have to understand that your cultural background affects your patterns of behaviour. Keep in mind that people tend to take the values, customs and traditions, the do’s and don’ts of their culture for granted.

Step _____________. Put stereotypes and assumptions aside and soon you will learn much more about their cultures and your own as well. Keep an open mind and you will gain cross-cultural awareness.

SPEAKING

 

Exercise 5. You are to give a 3-minute talk on Cross-Cultural Awareness. Use the texts from exercise 3 and 4 to make a list of key phrases and compare it with the list below. Translate the key phrases.

 

to gain cross-cultural awareness, to develop sensitivity, openness and flexibility, to manage cultural differences, suffer from culture shock, to impact the company's productivity, to promote understanding and mutual respect, to give an insight into, to broaden horizons, to succeed on the global stage, to provide sb with the knowledge and tools, to develop intercultural skills, to understand your cultural background, to identify your patterns of behaviour and beliefs, to realize the differences, to keep in mind, to act accordingly, take an interest, to keep an open mind, put stereotypes and assumptions aside, to learn about, their culture and your own culture.

 

Exercise 6. Prepare your talk using the linking words and phrases from the box.

 

To begin with, First of all, Then, Next, After that, The most important thing is...

Finally, Make sure you... The real problem is... Be careful not to... Don't forget to... We take it for granted that...

 

Exercise 7. Deliver your talk to the group. Begin it with the topical sentence:

In the global economy cross-cultural awareness is becoming more and more important.

 

GRAMMAR

 

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