Abstract
My way to improve my foreign communication skills is through exploration of myself and my scientific basis. This exploration draws on the scholarship related to intercultural communication, which is becoming ever more essential within an increasingly globalized context. As indicated earlier, it entails self-assessment for self-analysis using different tools that assist in the development of my self-intercultural communication competencies and weaknesses. This was also a purposeful, practical activity that I had incorporated into my coursework experience by inserting myself into a real-world intercultural environment. The fact that this experience was a real-life one helped me apply theories and critical self-assessment concerning my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats when it comes to communication. Finally, I provide an elaborate, detailed, step-by-step model of my journey improvement plan on how to refine my skills and capabilities in intercultural communication.
Backgrounder
In the modern world of globalization, intercultural communication is essential. Understanding differences in communicative behaviour, nonverbal acts and normative values is important for an area of research on intercultural communication. In 1980, Hofstede published a landmark that led to the identification of several cultural dimensions, including power distance, individualism versus collectivism, masculinity versus femininity, and uncertainty avoidance. The list was later expanded to add long-term orientation and indulgence versus restraint. These aspects largely shape how people in different cultures experience, understand and relate.
In this regard, power distance addresses issues related to societal inequality in people’s treatment, whereas individualism versus collectivism assesses the extent to which individuals in a particular society interact. Cultural uncertainty avoidance concerns how cultures handle the uncertainty surrounding the future. It is necessary to understand these cultural dimensions for successful intercultural communication because they influence the expectations and behaviour in cross-cultural interactions. Such recognition aids in narrowing down communication hurdles, resulting in smoother and more efficient relations across cultural boundaries.
Stella Ting-Toomey’s 1999 face-negotiation theory provided more insight into how cultural variability influenced communicative conflict resolution behaviours. It stands on the idea that ‘face’ or self-image in a social setting has a great influence on intercultural interactions. People from these collectiveness cultures usually find it more acceptable to adopt a conflict management style that preserves group unity. However, people from individualistic cultures that stress independence and expression of their will are more likely to resort to a straightforward or head-on pattern of conflict management. Such is a cultural preference that is based upon the tradition of being frank in expressing thoughts and arguments, leading to a final decision based upon dispute resolution by direct conversations. It is important to understand these different approaches so that an informed perspective can be taken on intercultural communication to avoid miscommunication and conflict due to cultural sensibilities.
Intercultural communication is not purely about being aware of cultural peculiarities but is also very much about being able to modify one’s communication style to suit different cultural environments. According to Chen and Starosta (1998), we live in a global village where encounters with individuals from different ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds are ever more popular. Therefore, this adaptability has emerged as an important characteristic. This comprises appreciating and recognizing distinct modes of communicating, norms, values, and behaviour, such as adopting an indirect communication style in cases where directness will be perceived as impolite or becoming familiar with different forms of non-verbal cues across cultural boundaries. # The development of this skill involves a continuous learning process that entails leaving one’s comfort zone. This is about appreciating and honouring the singular nature of each cultural encounter and tailoring one’s language use appropriately so as to understand, avoid misconceptions, and create meaningful relationships amongst the people living in different cultures.
At the heart of this research project is the understanding of culture that embraces the three pillars of awareness, know-how, and skills necessary for competent cross-cultural communication. Such a framework is essential in comprehending as well as manoeuvring through the complexities of cross-cultural communications. Awareness refers to having a deep understanding of one’s culture and personal prejudices towards other behaviour. Write an article on this topic using clear and concise language. : Use plain language to write an article on this issue. Knowledge involves understanding what are the culture’s norms, values, beliefs, and ways of communicating with various cultures. The skills involve practical competence in communication and interaction within cultural settings. As stated by Jones (2021), one should learn these principles that are not just helpful but vital for growth in an intercultural reality. It enhances the effective participation of people in different contexts while promoting intercultural understanding and work togetherness. Such a comprehensive conception of intercultural competence, which includes cognitive, affective, and behavioural dimensions, is key to success in today’s more connected and multicultural world.
Self-Analysis
However, I underwent self-assessment using different methods like the McCroskey website to give me an overall image of my intercultural communication skills, which has shown strengths and shortfalls. For example, the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale showed that I had a high level of cultural empathy. It also helps develop links since I identify with and understand people from different cultures. While there was an average level of cultural sensitivity, the same assessment revealed limited intercultural awareness. This implies that I need to understand better the nuances of culture, for instance, how they communicate differently, norms of conduct or social manners, and their beliefs for them to view me as part of their community. My empathy helps me to create first contact with another person’s life world on the basis of understanding my cultural setting and building an initial rapport with someone’s life world. However, to understand his life word at a deeper, more nuanced level, I have to learn about his culture. Building on this awareness will be important to having richer conversations in a culturally diverse setting.
The Intercultural Communication Competence Scale shed more light on my intercultural capabilities. It highlighted the fact that I have great respect for cultural diversity while pinpointing some areas of weakness which need improvement. It was acknowledging the fact that I respected and valued cultural diversity, which is among my strongest traits. Respect is also expressed in my conduct by ensuring that I observe culture at all times when interacting with people. On a positive note, the scale reflected some points of improvement on what needs development, especially in adjusting the type of communication styles compatible with different cultural backdrops and conflict management techniques in intercultural contexts.
My respect for cultural differences can be an excellent resource, though it sometimes might push me into excessive caution. Such over-cautiousness could impede the free exchange of ideas, make my presence felt, and speak my mind fully when I interact with people belonging to different walks of life. Response: for me to improve my multiculturalism competence, I must strike a fine balance. On the one hand, it calls for respecting diversity and remaining tolerant toward various cultures, but at the same time, being willing and ready to make adjustments so that the interaction can be effective. However, it also entails the development of culturally sensitive but assertive conflict resolution strategies, whereby communication remains open and meaningful despite differing cultures.”
IDI described my position along the intercultural competence ladder as minimization. During this step, cultures are acknowledged but not given due consideration when communicating. This states that it is a transition stage, and I appreciate diversity but need help understanding how it affects communication dynamics. This is where the most important development opportunity takes place. It needs a more analytical, in-depth approach to what specific cultural dynamics may affect interpersonal relationships. However, going beyond this, just recognizing diverse elements is essential for this appreciation that shapes individuals’ understandings, attitudes, behaviour, and communication style in an actual context.
The Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory also emphasized my ‘Integrating’ style of conflict management as an accompaniment to the IDI. The collaboration approach aims to find win-win outcomes and consider different stakeholders’ views. Although this method is usually appropriate and helpful to maintaining harmony within intercultural settings, it’s certainly not a walk in the park. This is a passive style. For instance, it may be ineffective in cultures that tend to value directness and decisiveness. As such, it is essential to nurture a fair method which mirrors distinct cultures. Such equilibrium necessitates flexibility, knowing when to advocate for one’s opinion firmly or adopting a more cooperative and integrative orientation.
These self-assessment measures allow me to get an all-around idea about where I stand currently with regard to intercultural communication, giving as much detail as possible, including what skills are strong and where there is room for improvement. My key strengths include having the capacity to understand others’ views as well as cultural sensitivity. Empathy allows me to relate with people of different origins on a personal level, thus encouraging empathy and confidence. Indeed, my respect for different cultures is the very basis on which I approach other people or foreigners positively because this shows that I understand certain different practices and beliefs.
Nonetheless, these findings highlight ways through which improvement can be enhanced. One of these areas is adapting communication styles in different cultural contexts. Recognition of various communication traditions, from verbal expression to non-verbal signals to techniques of settling conflicts, is essential for success in this. Furthermore, it has emphasized the need to improve my conflict management skills further in a culturally competent way. This entails appreciating and manoeuvring various cultural facets that affect the way each culture views and resolves disputes. Growth in these areas is critical if I gain better mastery of the intricacies of international communication transactions.
Experiential Activity for This Course
In order to engage fully with the cultural life of a non-related community, I attended an Australian indigenous people’s festival that enabled me. It was no ordinary gathering. Rather, it is a rich collage of cultural display and a compelling lesson in life.
This was one of the most colourful festivals that celebrated the rich heritage of the indigenous Australians in art, music, dance, and stories, among other elements. As they walked by, they were met by a lively beat played on traditional instruments, reminding them of the culture and heritage of the natives. The colourful artwork captivated me, telling the saga of the land, its people, and their journey to date.
The storytelling sessions played a crucial role in the festival. In this case, elders who were considered custodians of ancient wisdom told stories they had received from time immemorial. This was no mere amusement but a vehicle of information loaded with the ideals, views, and history of an ethnic group. As I listened to these stories, I couldn’t help but admire how deeply connected the indigenous people are to their past, showing the impact of oral tradition on safeguarding cultural identity. The ritual is very spiritual and involves the burning of indigenous plants and producing smoke, which is considered to have a cleansing effect and is an evil spirit repellant. This ceremony not only acted as a cultural show for me but also helped me understand in what way Indigenous Australians connect themselves to their land and nature. During the festivals, I witnessed Indigenous collective culture. This represented a sense of camaraderie among people who were sharing stories and eating together. This was in sharp contrast with the more individualized culture that I am familiar with, illustrating the differences in social norms among cultures.
These conventional dances portrayed separate tales of the story. Individually clothed dances covered in beautiful body paintings would have represented different hunts, dreams, and interrelationships between humanity and nature. Observing these dances made me feel as if I had travelled through space and time to this world full of symbols and meanings. It also enabled one to have an insight into the difficulties that the Native Americans underwent in their quest for social upliftment. The exhibitions and discussions included matters like land rights, consequences of settler-colonialism, and current claims to acknowledgement and healing. I was enlightened by the strength of those living on the reservations and their fight against exploitation and oppression.
The whole time this event was on, I was carefully monitoring how my knowledge about intercultural communication could be applied. They had to pay extra attention to the physical reactions or gestures such as posture and eye contact. Gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact spoke volumes of respect, engagement, and understanding with regard to Indigenous Australian culture. These minor signs are necessary since they made my experience during communication smooth and respectful.
Besides, I would be careful to maintain the cultural values and ways of communicating since they constitute the core of any culture. These included small but meaningful gestures such as honouring elders for their age, listening attentively whenever they narrated past events, and taking part in rituals with a sense that such occasions are sacred. At that point, I understood that it was not simply obeying the rules but rather a display of reverence for their customs.
Additionally, I made a deliberate effort to adapt my communication style and listened actively rather than speaking. Adopting this method helped me absorb much more of the rich cultural information being disseminated and manifested my regard for the communicators. Through speaking less and listening more, I was able to interact meaningfully with Indigenous people in a more subtle manner. It was highlighted through the experience how essential it could be in intercultural communication, which more often manifests itself through comprehension than expression.
My experience was quite interesting, and in the end, it became not only educational but also transformational. It has brought a whole new dimension to my beliefs about indigenous culture. It was very touching to witness the lively manifestation of a culture which has so much to do with Australia’s historical past as well as its present identity. My cultural perspective and biases on cultural diversities were questioned, and this has led me to understand the complexity involved in cultural diversity. This gave me a chance to start developing myself as an emotionally involved and receptive intercultural communicator. It is only then that true comprehension can be achieved.
Application of Textbook Principles
My relations with the foreign culture observed at the festival demonstrated some of these textbook principles, like understanding the cultural dimensions and using adaptive communication strategies. The collectivist nature of indigenous culture that accentuates community and relations affected their manner of communication and socialization. Unlike my background, which is more individualistic, this culture was collectivist, where one was expected to conform and follow social norms and expectations.
Applying these principles made me realize the need to consider context while dealing with intercultural communication. Take, for instance, the Indigenous Australians who emphasize harmonious co-existence through the use of indirect communication. They avoided conflicts while talking and consistently showed respect to their elders and community leaders.
Non-verbal communication is one of the emphases made by the textbook, as it also plays a vital role in intercultural interaction. During the festival, I discovered that non-verbal cues like body language, facial expressions, tone and silence heavily influenced communication. The correct interpretation of these cues was essential for effective communication.
Moreover, cultural understanding and sensitivity form other important aspects that are promoted by the principles of intercultural communication. The festival experience pointed toward an open-minded way of interacting with culturally diverse persons, sharing information about oneself and gaining knowledge about the other party. Good intercultural communication does not only encompass language but also involves cultural understanding and sensitivity.
Plan for Your Improved Communication Skills
In order to enhance my interpersonal and intercultural communication skills, I will be more involved and engaged with different, culturally diverse populations. They should also volunteer in diverse organizations to get a feel of different cultures in order to achieve the same objective. This suggests that by being around different people more often, I better appreciate diversity, develop a wider view of the subject and learn to tailor my language depending on a particular situation.
Besides volunteering, I will also enrol in an e-course on intercultural communication. The course will have a theoretical background to reinforce the volunteering experience. The chapter shall dwell on aspects of the cultural dimensions, conflict management in intercultural situations, and intercultural communication approaches that work. In addition, I look forward to soliciting constructive criticism from other people whom I interact with. This valuable feedback will help me figure out what I need to do better and how my communication affects other people.
Therefore, I intend to evaluate these interactions as often as possible. In this respect, I shall reflect upon instances in which communication proved to be successful and unsuccessful with a view of extracting lessons from both outcomes. Eigen: Another thing that should be taken into consideration is making sure that all instructions are clearly provided or clarified in some way. This reflective practice is meant to help me become progressively better at intercultural communication.
Reference
Chen, G. M., & Starosta, W. J. (1998). A review of the concept of intercultural awareness. Human Communication Research, 25(1), 55-75.
Hofstede, G. (1980). Culture’s Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values. Sage Publications.
Jones, B. (2021). Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace. International Journal of Communication Studies.
Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating across cultures. Guilford Press.
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