CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

ROSEBANK COLLEGE
MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION (MCED) 7311
LEARNING UNIT 3

Culture &
Communication
 1. Defining communication
2. Culture in communication
3. Non-verbal communication
4. Communication process
SECTIONS 5. Communication challenges
6. Communicating with parents
7. Cultural differences
8. Implication for effective teaching & learning
9. What can you do in the classroom?
Activity
Draw it

Draw the image as it is being

described to you
HOW CAN THE SAME
GESTURES BE TREATED
DIFFERENTLY IN
DIFFERENT CULTURES
 DEFINING COMMUNICATION
“the transmission and reception of
information (a message) between a
source and receiver using a signalling
system” (Crystal, 2003)

“the interchange of ideas, beliefs,

thoughts, feelings & emotions can
occur through various means, both
verbal & non-verbal” (Miller, 2008)
Crystal as citied in Landsberg, 2019; Miller as
citied in Landsberg, 2019
 CULTURE IN COMMUNICATION
o Culture shapes our communication style
o Culture and communication are tightly interwoven and interlinked
o Culture influences how to interpret the behaviour of others in various situations
o Language use varies between cultures. Words and phrases are used in different
ways
o Different attitudes when it comes to disclosing
o Difference in attitudes about and towards conflict

(Giri 2006)
NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

 Most of the message and meaning is conveyed

through body language
 Non-verbal behaviour is determined by culture
 Includes: physical appearance, attire, body language
& expressions, gestures
 COMMUNICATION PROCESS
Feedback

Goal realised or
unrealised Learner reaction

Learner/s

Barriers
Information or
Teacher instruction via code
or channel
(Lemmer, Meier, & van Wyk, 2012)
 COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES
• Communication failure
o No meaningful information or message is exchanged

• Miscommunication
o Miscommunication stems from a misalignment of explicit and implicit meaning between the
sender and receiver
o Some people are straightforward; others expect you to read between the lines
o Phrasing your messages in an explicit manner prevents miscommunication
o Poor listening skills
o Poor speaking skills
o Different perceptions
 COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS
o Maintain comfortable eye contact
o Empathise with parents through positive expressions
o Utilise moments of silence as reflection time
o Sit adjacent to parents
o Utilise language that parents are able to understand
 Activity
Physical
Barriers to effective
communication
Psychological

Perceptual

Physiological
 Activity 4 Based on the barriers
Overcoming barriers discussed above within each of
the four categories, come up
with strategies to address or
overcome these barriers.

• Physical
• Psychological
• Physiological
• Perceptual
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
Addressing
others

Perception of Customary
time behaviour

Differences

Communicati Giving
on style feedback

(Lemmer, Meier, & van Wyk, 2012)

IMPLICATIONS FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING & LEARNING

 Classroom interaction- clear & consistent

 Learner feedback- check learners understanding by
getting learners to actively engage in activities to
measure this
 Teacher feedback- Read the situation & learners
ACTIVITY
EFFECTIVE MULTICULTURAL COMMUNICATION

What do you consider effective multicultural

communication to entail & look like?
Discuss this
 WHAT CAN YOU DO IN THE
CLASSROOM?
o State communication rules for activities from the beginning
(clear & explicit)
o Use cues to signal students when changes take place
o Demonstrate appropriate behaviour
o Promote cooperative learning
o Utilise simple language

(Woolfolk, 2010)
o Listen
o Check perceptions
o Seek feedback
o Develop self-awareness
o Take risks
o Resist judgemental reactions

(Lemmer, Meier, & van Wyk, 2012)

ACTIVITY
WEIGHTING UP THE PROS & CONS

What are the advantages & disadvantages of

communication within the classroom?
KEEP THE FOLLOWING IN MIND

Accept different Understand person's Ask questions if

languages, religions & behaviours & reactions you are unsure of
other cultural are often culturally cultural
differences of others driven differences
THANK YOU
 REFERENCES
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