Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication

Audience: Individuals interested in learning intercultural communication theory.

International educators engage in intercultural communication every working day and become skilled in dealing with differences that exist among their clients and colleagues. This workshop is designed to provide a conceptual framework for those interactions, to increase familiarity with the terms of intercultural communication, and to broaden the understanding of how culture influences behavior. In addition, how individuals grow in intercultural sensitivity and what kinds of response can turn critical interactions into educational opportunities at various levels of sensitivities will be explored. Brief lectures, exercises, and other interactive techniques will be used.

Workshop Objectives

• Identify and describe the five characteristics of culture
• Describe the Iceberg Model
• Describe how culture serves as a filter
• Describe the difference between cultural stereotype and cultural generalization
• Describe the Development Model for Intercultural Sensitivity
• Describe the elements of nonverbal communication
• Identify the characteristics of the individualistic and collectivistic cultures
• Describe the D.I.E. Model