GE5- Purposive Communication | Module 3 |Communication in

Multicultural Contexts

I. Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
(1) Determine situations, which display effective communication in multicultural
context;
(2) Discuss culturally appropriate terms, expressions, and images;
(3) Increase cultural and intercultural awareness and sensitivity in
communication of ideas;
(4) Reflect on a learning experience.

II. Warm-up:
For 2-3 minutes, write five terms/phrases you can connect with “Multiculturalism”
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

III. Self-audit:
After completing the warm-up activity, tick the column that best describes your ability to
communicate in the context of globalization. Answer the section as objectively as
possible. Bear in mind that there are no wrong answers.

Usually Sometimes Seldom Never

(3) (2) (1) (0)
1. I am culturally-sensitive, polite,
tactful, and respectful in my written
speech and non-verbal
communication.
2. I avoid gender-biased language.
3. I communicate to share
information across language cultures.
4. I don’t stereotype or generalize
certain groups.
5. I listen attentively when others are
speaking.
6. I observe physical space and
distance.
7. I respect a person’s right to privacy
and confidentiality.
8. I show consideration.
9. I show genuine interest in engaging
and participating in local language
and culture.
10. I make positive interpretations
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with the words and actions of other
people.
TOTAL
GRAND TOTAL

Interpretation:

Score Level of Proficiency

26-30 Advanced
25-27 Proficient
23-24 Approaching Proficiency
21-22 Developing
20 and below Beginning

IV. Input:

With the emergence of a global society, the academic and professional environments
have become multicultural. That means you coexist with people from diverse or different cultural
backgrounds, beliefs, religion, gender, nationalities, religion, and ethnicity.
Your verbal communication is always accompanied by non-verbal cues such as gestures,
facial expressions, and other body movements that add to what you are saying in different ways.
For example, it is very normal for Americans to shake hands as a form of greetings but not for
Japanese who bow when they greet each other. Another is “nodding” to mean “yes” in some
nationalities like Indians and Latin Americans, but in other countries like Indians and Latin
Americans, but in other countries like Syria, Turkey, and Greece “nodding” means “no.” Indeed,
when you communicate in a multicultural context, it is essential for you to learn, acknowledge,
and understand the various communication and behavioral patterns present in other cultures
locally and globally.

THE DEVELOPMENTAL MODEL OF CULTURAL SENSITIVIY

According to Bennett and Bennett (2004), the developmental model of intercultural

sensitivity (DMIS) has six stages which are as follows:

Stage 1: Denial The individual does not recognize cultural

differences;
Stage 2: Defense The individual starts to recognize cultural
differences and is intimidated by them;
Stage 3: Minimization Although the individual sees cultural
differences, he/she banks more on the
universality of ideas than cultural differences;
Stage 4: Acceptance The individual begins to appreciate important
cultural differences in behaviors and eventually
in values;
Stage 5: Adaptation The individual becomes very open to world

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views when accepting new perspectives; and
Stage 6: Integration The individual starts to go beyond his/her
culture and sees himself/herself and his/her
actions based on multifarious cultural
viewpoints.

Once you have understood these stages, you may utilize a model which will help you (1)
recognize different communication behaviors, (2) take into account what can influence these
types of behaviors, and (3) analyze differences between linguistic and cultural communities.

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS

When you interact, negotiate or convey information in a multicultural setting, you apply
your intercultural communication skills. Simply put, intercultural communication is the sending
and receiving of information, ideas, or messages across languages and cultures. Vulpe, Kealey,
Protheroe and Macdonald (2001) of the Centre for Intercultural Learning released a publication
titled “Profile of the Interculturally Effective Person,” which provides competencies of someone
who works and communicates successfully in another culture. According to Vulpe et al. (2001),
one of the major competencies of an intercultural effective person is intercultural
communication, whose core skills include the following:
 Ability to express understandable and culturally sensitive thoughts, feelings, opinions,
and expectations.
 Ability to engage and immerse in the local culture and language.
 Ability to establish shared meanings with the local people to avoid stereotyping and
miscommunication.
 Ability to develop a language capacity such as using local greetings and opportunities to
use the local language in the contexts.
 Ability to empathize with how the locals see the world.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR COMMUNICATING IN A MULTICULTURAL CONTEXT

 Avoid asking inappropriate or personal questions.
 Avoid stereotyping or generalizing certain groups. Keep an open mind and be flexible.
 Avoid using jargons, clichés, highfalutin terms, technical terms, acronyms, and gender-
biased language.
 Be sensitive, polite, tactful, and respectful at all times particularly in relation to cultural
practices, attitudes, and beliefs. Learn and understand the value of diversity.
 Develop intercultural communication skills.
 Eliminate gender-biased words or sexist language particularly in writing, Refer to the
ways on how to avoid gender-biased language listed in the succeeding section.
 In case you do not get the message conveyed by the person you are communicating with,
request him/her to repeat the message or simplify it.
 Learn and observe physical distance or space in dealing with other people. In some
cultures, shaking hands and hugging may not be appropriate.
 Listen attentively when others are speaking.

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 Observe patience in listening to other people’s ideas, which may not be the same as
yours.
 Pay attention to your non-verbal communication. Learn non-verbal cues of other cultures.
 Respect a person’s rights to confidentiality and privacy.
 Show consideration.
 Speak gently and politely; never shout to be understood.
 Stay calm, cool, and composed when you make a mistake or feel embarrassed by others.
Culturally, others do not mean to embarrass you.
 Make positive interpretations of the actions and words of other people.
 When you feel strange or uncomfortable about something being communicated by other
people, request them to clarify their meanings and intentions before you express your
emotions and ideas.

GENDER-BIASED WORDS OR SEXIST LANGUAGE

Use words that are free from gender prejudice and unfair assumptions. Words must not
influence the audience in any particular or unfair direction.

Sexist Language Neutral

Chairman Chair/Chairperson
Salesman Salesperson
Congressman Legislator
Foreman Supervisor
Stewardess Flight Attendant
Waitress Server
Policeman Police Officer
Fireman Firefighter
Man-made Manufactured
Businessman Business Executive
Manpower Workforce
Spokesman Spokesperson

WAYS TO AVOID GENDER-BIASED LANGUAGE

o Substitute gender-biased pronouns with articles/determiner.
Sexist: Every employee is entitled to his 13th month pay.
Non-sexist: Every employee is entitled to a 13th month pay.
o Use plural nouns instead of singular pronouns.
Sexist: Every applicant must submit his proposal next week.
Non-sexist: All employees must submit their proposal next week.
o Use either/or pronouns (he/she, his/her, his/hers). However, avoid putting men first all the
time.
Sexist: Every applicant must fill out his own application form.
Non-sexist: Every applicant must fill out his/her own application form.
o Use second person pronoun (you, your) over third person pronoun (he, she). Be careful
not to change the meaning of the statement.
Sexist: The sales manager should prepare his marketing proposal for our new project.

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Non-sexist: You should prepare your marketing proposal for our new product.
o Use appropriate titles.
Sexist: Dear Sir (unknown addressee)
Non-sexist: Dear Sir or Madame (unknown addressee)
Non-sexist: Attention: HR Manager

Note: Use Ms. If you have no idea of the female addressee is single or married. Use Mrs.
(mistress) if you are sure that the female addressee is married. Of course, you have to use Ms. for
an unmarried female addressee.

V. Delving Deeper:
Watch the videos below in order to deeply understand communication in multicultural
contexts.

1. Does Language Create our Gender Biases?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9ubO34OuTs

2. Local and Global Communication in Multicultural Setting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5eAsH3zKQM

VI. Task:
1. If you are a writer, write a short English poem about the topic (maximum of 3
stanzas).
2. If you are an artist, create a poster about the topic (any medium is allowed).

Post your works in the Facebook thread.

VII. Reflection:
Reflect on the learning that you gained from this lesson by completing the given chart.
What were your misconceptions about the What new or additional learning have you
topic prior to taking up this lesson? gained from this lesson in terms of skills,
content, and attitude.
I thought… I learned that…

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