5. Warm Up
1. Bring out a sheet of paper and a pen.
1. Answer the following questions:
a. What is culture?
b. What other cultures do you know about? Focus on
general culture and beliefs.
1. You have two minutes to create a short write-up of your
answers.
6. Vocabulary Words
culture
the customary beliefs, values, and attitudes of a
racial, religious, or social group
What Hannah loves the most about traveling is
learning about other countries’ cultures.
self-awareness
an understanding of one’s self and place in society
Louis showed a lack of self-awareness of his own
privilege when he said that poverty would be solved if
the poor would just get jobs.
exasperated
irritated or annoyed
James was exasperated by the noise his
classmates were making while they were visiting
a Buddhist temple for their field trip.
intercultural communication
communication between individuals who have different
cultures
The job of a diplomat is to ensure that the intercultural
communication between state dignitaries goes
smoothly.
taken aback
to be shocked or surprised, particularly by something said or
done to you.
Charlene was taken aback when her brother announced
that he was engaged to his girlfriend, whom he had only
been dating for six months.
7. Learn about It!
Culture
● the system of knowledge that is shared by a particular group
composed of a relatively large number of individuals
● When you identify yourself as being part of a particular
culture, you should not only share certain characteristics with
members of that group, but you should also be able to
observe yourself and others like you who possess these
features and distinguish others who do not have them as
members of a different culture.
8. Learn about It!
Through communication with others, culture is created,
learned, and shared. Without communication, there is no way
of preserving and transmitting cultural characteristics from one
person, place, and time to another. In turn, our culture
influences the way we communicate with others. Hence, there
exists a dynamic relationship between culture and
communication. This is known as intercultural
communication.
9. Learn about It!
To engage in intercultural communication, participants should
essentially understand the concept of self-awareness.
Self-awareness is essential for better communication with
others, especially with those who are different from you.
Knowing who you are and in which cultural and social group
you belong will enable you to relate better to others and to
show sensitivity to them. Also, the way you communicate with
others is largely influenced by your view of them.
10. Learn about It!
Take a look at this example:
While eating at a noodle restaurant with her Japanese host family,
Jessica stuck her chopsticks into the bowl while she took a break
from eating in order to chat with other children her age. She noticed
that the children looked uncomfortable, while the adults looked
displeased.
11. Learn about It!
Kyle is being introduced to the paternal relatives of his half-Italian best friend, Sandro.
He greets Sandro’s grandparents with a pleasant “ciao.” The grandparents seem taken
aback at first, though they greet Kyle warmly before going back to their business.
Puzzled at the reaction, Kyle turns to Sandro, who is giving him an exasperated look.
Kyle: What? Did I say something wrong?
Sandro: You greeted my grandparents with “ciao.” You should only use that greeting
with close friends or people our age.
Kyle: Oh, really? I’m sorry about that. What should I have said?
Sandro: Since it’s evening, you should have said “buona sera.”
Kyle: Okay! I’ll remember that for next time.
Take a look at another example:
12. Drills
Identify the term that would best complete each sentence
below.
1. _____________ is the system of knowledge that is shared by a
particular group composed of a relatively large number of
individuals.
2. _____________ is communication between individuals who
have different cultures.
3. Through _____________ with others, culture is created,
learned, and shared.
13. Drills
4. There exists a dynamic _____________ between culture and
communication.
5. To engage in intercultural communication, participants should
essentially understand the concept of _____________.
6. Knowing who you are and in which cultural and social group
you belong will enable you to relate better to others and to show
_____________ to them.
7. When you identify yourself as being part of a particular culture,
you should share certain _____________ with members of that
group.
14. Drills
8.-9. Without communication, there is no way of _____________
and _____________ cultural characteristics from one person,
place, and time to another.
10. The way you communicate with others is largely influenced by
your _____________ of them.
16. Drills
1. In the situation, who do you think made more of an effort at
good intercultural communication?
2. In the narration, Sarah teaches Mark the appropriate use of the
wai. She first demonstrated the gesture when she encountered
the monks. Which use of the wai did she demonstrate?
3. How do you think Mark demonstrated his own effort at good
intercultural communication?
17. Drills
4. As a tourist, what do you think Sarah did to prepare for their
trip to Thailand to ensure good intercultural communication?
5. What was the main benefit of Sarah’s studying of the culture
before they went to Thailand?
18. Drills
B. In three to five sentences, write about what you would
do to prepare for a trip to another country to ensure that
you will have good intercultural communication with the
locals.
19. Values Integration
As a senior high school student, how does learning
about intercultural communication prepare you for
possible study and career opportunities abroad?
20. Synthesis
1. Group yourselves into threes.
2. Line up to receive your assigned country from the teacher.
3. Research the customs and etiquette of your assigned country,
either at the library or online.
4. Come up with a script for a skit set in the country assigned to you
that will allow you to use what you learned about intercultural
communication.
5. The skit should only be five minutes long.
21. Synthesis
After all of the performances are done, reflect on the following
questions:
a. How did you feel about doing research on the culture of the
country assigned to you? Was it interesting?
b. What were the similarities of that country’s customs to ours? How
about the differences?
c. If you encountered a tourist in our country who acted rudely, how
would you feel about it?
d. Why do you think it is important to learn about a country’s culture
and customs before visiting it?
22. Assignment
1. Think about the country you would most like to visit.
2. Do research on that country’s customs and rules of behavior.
3. Pretend you own a travel agency specializing in that country.
4. Create a brochure for prospective tourists detailing important details
about the country. It should include the following:
a. What are some basic greetings tourists should know?
b. What are the most important customs tourists should keep in
mind?
c. What are some unique points of dining etiquette for the country?
5. The brochure must be printed or crafted on a size A4 paper. It can
have illustrations or graphics.
