This ppt is related to cross cultural understanding subject , I hope it will help you to understand " how to show that you understand " to your partner of speaking

2. When you talk to people. How do you show
that you are listening ? How do you show that
you understand or don’t understand ?
There are many personal as well as cultural differences in
this area of communication. As people learn another
language. It is obvious that they need to learn grammar
and pronunciation rules. Less obvious is the need to learn
how people interact as they speak and listen in the new
language.

3.  In some cultures, including American
culture, people usually say something to the
speaker to show that they are listening and
they understand. This is a kind of Feedback.
 American also sometimes interrupt the
speaker, so that they can be sure that they
understand.

4. I. Giving Feedback

5. Americans use verbal feedback often. The U.S. is
considered a “ verbal “ culture. If American do not
receive a lot of verbal feedback, they may feel that the
other person is not listening, is bored or angry, or that
he or she disagrees.
Americans ask for feedback when they say things like :
“ you got that ? “ “ Am I making myself
clear?
“ you know ? “ “ do you know I mean ? “
“ Do you understand ? ” “ Okay, any question ? “
“ Okay ?? “

6.  People show that they are listening in different ways.
Japanese speakers use a listening sound , Like “
mm..mmm “ to show that they are paying attention to
the speaker. They make this sound very often when
listening .
 When a Japanese uses this listening sound in a
conversation in English with American , the American
may think Japanese listener is saying, “ okay ! Okay !
understand ! Hurry up and finish talking ! “
it makes misunderstanding.

7. II. INTERRUPTING

8.  The word “interrupt” usually has a negative meaning
in English. A person who interrupts does not let the
other speaker finish speaking.
 American often become impatient or angry with
someone who interrupts too often. However, in an
interaction with someone from another culture, it is
sometimes necessary to interrupt politely to ask a
question.
 They will expect you to ask right away if you don’t
understand something they have said.

9. III. ASKING FOR FOCUSED REPETITION

10. Bella : “Hey, John. Can you take the pencil next the
door ?“
John : “Oh, hi Bella . Can I do what ?? “
 If someone says, “ I don’t understand,” the
American may not know what part of the
sentence was confusing. The American
probably wants to ask “ What don’t you
understand ?“
 Then, you couldn’t just ask “ what ?? or Who
“ while you don’t understand what they said.

11. IV. ASKING FOR MEANING

12. You can just ask , when you don’t know the
words meaning or some parts of the sentence
that the other said.
Chef : “When you put the salad, put the cole slaw
on the left salad.”
Waiter: “The cold salad ?? “
Chef : “No, the cole slaw… that the salad there.. the
one with cabbage.“

13. V. CHECKING BITS OF INFORMATION

14.  In american culture it is usually okay to
interrupt the other speaker so that you can
make sure you understood what the speaker
said.
“ you call this cole slaw “ or
“ It’s cole slaw ?? “ or
“ I’m sorry , did you say cole slaw ?? “