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
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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
1 Definition of culture for the study of communication
2 Definition of inter-cultural communication
3 Intercultural communication in the social life
1 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:
Trang 2Parents, 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
2 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
Trang 3Summary
Main points of this lesson
1 Definition of culture for the study of communication
2 Definition of inter-cultural communication
3 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 1 Varieties of Introductions
2 What is in a Name?
3 Use of Titles in Introductions
4 Eye Contact and Handshaking in Introductions
5 Small Talk after Introductions
6 Cultural Variations in Introductions
7 Cultural Notes
1 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 do 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 2 & 3
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 do 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?
Trang 4GEORGE: 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
Trang 5For 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 do 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 2 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
practice Putting the palm of the hand to the heart is traditional in North Africa
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1 In Afghanistan you should spend at least five minutes saying hello
2 In a formal introduction, Americans often uses titles until they are told they may use first names
3 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
4 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.)
5 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?
6 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 do not, and younger women shake more often than older women do
Summary
1 Varieties of Introductions
2 What is in a Name?
3 Use of Titles in Introductions
4 Eye Contact and Handshaking in Introductions
5 Small Talk after Introductions
6 Cultural Variations in Introductions
7 Cultural Notes
CHAPTER 2:
VERBAL COMMUNICATION, NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION Lesson 3: VERBAL COMMUNICATION The main points of this lesson
In this lesson we will learn:
1 Rules and Styles of Speaking
2 Directness and indirectness
3 Invitations
4 Speaking and Refraining from Speaking
5 Different Ways of Expressing Common Needs
6 Language Style
7 Initiating and Maintaining Conversations
Trang 78 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
1 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
2 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”
3 Invitations:
The unwritten “rules” are confusing and create misunderstandings even for native speakers
Trang 8In 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 do not come to an agreement as to when they will get together
4 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
Trang 9In return, according to some Japanese, the Americans ask too many questions do not give the other person enough time to formulate a careful answer
5 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
6 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)
7 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 one-word 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: 2 week
8 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?
Trang 10Pardon 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
1 Understanding what is verbal communication
2 Rules and Styles of Speaking
3 Directness and indirectness
4 Invitations
5 Speaking and Refraining from Speaking
6 Different Ways of Expressing Common Needs
7 Language Style
8 Initiating and Maintaining Conversations
9 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 4 today, Non-verbal communication Here, the main points of this lesson:
1 What is verbal communication?
2 Cultural Differences in Non-verbal Communication
3 Gestures
4 Facial Expressions
5 Eye Contact
6 Space
7 Clothing and Bodily Characteristics
8 Cultural Notes
1 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
2 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