1. “…one of the world’s most
significant problems:
intercultural relations…”
Edward T. Hall
© 2012 Centre for English Language Communication NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

2. 1. The Nature of Intercultural Communication
2. Dominant Cultural Orientations
3. Domains of Cultural Differences
4. Steps Towards Effective Communication
© 2012 Centre for English Language Communication NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

3. © 2012 Centre for English Language Communication NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

4. Intercultural communication is:
communication between at least two people
from different cultures.
© 2012 Centre for English Language Communication NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

5.  Increasing interaction between people due to
globalization
 Increasing diversity in workplaces
 Increasing need to develop caring, responsible
and ethical business leaders
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6. DEFINITION OF CULTURE
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7. FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS
OF CULTURE
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8.  National cultures
 Social groups
 Ethnic groups
 Genders
 Age or generational
groups
(and more…)
© 2012 Centre for English Language Communication NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

9.  If intercultural communication is
communication between at least two people
from different cultures…
 ALL communication between people is
essentially intercultural.
 Different types of cultures shape
communication.
 Caring, responsible and ethical business
leaders must be effective intercultural
communicators.
© 2012 Centre for English Language Communication NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

10. © 2012 Centre for English Language Communication NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

11. 1. How contexting affects communication
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12. 2) How face-saving affects communication
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13. 3) How the individual is viewed in relation
to the group
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14. 4) How time is perceived
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15. 5) How power is distributed
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16. 6) How decisions are made
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17. Reminder: cultural orientations are NOT
dichotomies; they are tendencies.
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18. © 2012 Centre for English Language Communication NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

19.  Choice of words
 Organization of messages
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20.  Body  Touch
language
 Tone, volume and
 Eye contact speed
 Laughter  Turn-taking and
silence
© 2012 Centre for English Language Communication NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

21. PART IV
STEP TOWARDS EFFECTIVE
COMMUNICATION
© 2012 Centre for English Language Communication NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

22.  Develop a sense of cultural
awareness
 Do not be ethnocentric
 Listen genuinely when others
speak
© 2012 Centre for English Language Communication NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

23.  Do not lapse into your own language while in the
presence of others who do not speak it
 Take responsibility for the communication (e.g.,
if miscommunication happens, it is not always
the other person’s fault)
 DO NOT STEREOTYPE
© 2012 Centre for English Language Communication NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

24. Intercultural communication:
 respects people as part of a group AND as
individuals.
 is not about interaction between national
cultures only.
© 2012 Centre for English Language Communication NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

25. Intercultural competence:
 helps you deliver your messages clearly,
appropriately and persuasively.
 enables you, as a business leader, to
contribute to a just and equitable world.
© 2012 Centre for English Language Communication NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

26. THANK YOU!
Q&A
© 2012 Centre for English Language Communication NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE