INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
Core Value
What Does Intercultural Communication Mean?
A global citizen values connecting within and across cultures and languages. A global citizen does not expect the world to present itself in a familiar way and is willing to utilise verbal and non-verbal strategies to adapt.
What You Need To Do:
Engage with people in another language and culture and communicate thoughtfully and appropriately
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Engage with people in another language or culture and do so thoughtfully.
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Compare/contrast cultural norms and expectations (for example: dress code) with the intention of discovering how to communicate across linguistic and cultural barriers.
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Consider situations in which you felt cultural and/or linguistic discomfort and the strategies you've used in those situations (potentially using the language being studied at school).
Will My Reflection Be Approved?
Describe a time when you engaged with a different culture and the strategies you used to communicate effectively. Reflect on how this influenced your thinking about language and communication. In other words, answer the question:
“How and in what way, has this encounter changed my thinking or appreciation for linguistic and cultural difference?"
Annotated Example
Guiding Questions
Developing new understanding - Overall, how did this experience develop new understandings/change you as a global citizen?
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E.g. How did this experience change the way I explore and appreciate linguistic and cultural differences?
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What languages and cultural identities do you identify with?
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Describe a time when you engaged with a different language or different cultural norms.
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What strategies (verbal and/or nonverbal) did you use to communicate effectively and respectfully without resorting to your native language?
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How did this influence your thinking about language and communication?
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How did this experience build your appreciation for cultural differences?
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How did this experience change you as a global citizen?
Metacognition
Guiding Questions
Further Resources
Intercultural Communication Podcasts
Different Cultures Interacting
Ms. Cara shares her experience working outside of her home country. She talks about how she's had to adapt to different environments to order to communicate with those around her. As a result, she mentions how her own values and priorities have changed based on the interactions with those of difference cultural backgrounds.
Cultural Acceptance and Communication
Mr. Meswani shares his experience coming from a multi-cultural background, discussing how his identity is shaped through his unique background and experiences. Being an Indian born in Ethiopia, and working as a teacher in now his fourth international school, he has learned that culture must be embraced, not hidden. He describes his past struggles of having an accent and his values which differed from his colleagues. He learned that empathy and respect is what leads to an effective, thoughtful intercultural communication. He shares a meaningful message that our culture and identity should not confine us.
Embrace, Connect and Respect
In this conversation, K Mick opens up about his journey, sharing why he chose the name K Mick and how an exchange year changed his perspective on Intercultural Communication. Growing up with a mix of cultures, he talks about the skills he picked up along the way: like how to embrace differences instead of hiding them. From navigating language barriers to learning how to connect with people from all walks of life, K Mick highlights the importance of empathy and respect in communication. He also shares a powerful message: our culture and identity should be celebrated, not limited.