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Developing Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC)

Developing Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC). Why ICC…. The prominence of communication skills in a world where nations and markets have become interdependent is unquestionable.

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Developing Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC)

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  1. Developing Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC)

  2. Why ICC… The prominence of communication skills in a world where nations and markets have become interdependent is unquestionable. Ability to build global organizations and synergies within this unique political, economic and social arena currently unfolding –a phenomenon known as globalization- is imperative, which in turn necessitates effective and appropriate intercultural communication skills Geopolitical unions form (e.g. EU) and corporations and agencies become more international

  3. Globalization and the global integration of organizations have caused a tremendous amount of mobility of e.g. multinational company personnel, which has brought about the need to assess and develop one’s ICC • The reality of a globalized society has triggered the need to be able to communicate effectively and appropriately in different cultural contexts.

  4. This includes the ability to negotiate effectively in the setting of a culturally diverse working milieu within a corporation or during an international business transaction or any international assignment. (sojourner) or work within their own setting, but with a diverse staff or clientele. • Chen and Starosta (1996) stressed the critical nature of this ability in surviving in today’s global world

  5. The success of communication in these contexts depends immensely on the ability to act appropriately and successfully in the aforementioned culturally diverse environments. • To this effect, Graf (2004) identifies effective intercultural communication skills as a significant determinant for success in intercultural contexts in that it facilitates expatriate adjustment.

  6. a) Intercultural Communication • Intercultural communication is defined as “a transactional, symbolic process involving the attribution of meaning between people from different cultures” (Gudykunst and Kim, 1992: 14). Gudykunst and Kim (ibid) note that the communication does not necessarily have to be effective to be called intercultural. They also clarify that culture should not only be perceived as a national distinction. On the contrary, cultures can transcend national boundaries including many nations, or, on the other end of the scale, it can even be smaller than the national boundaries.

  7. b) Intercultural Communication Competence • It is the ability to work well across cultures (too simplified) Fantini (2006: 12) states that ICC is “a complex of abilities needed to perform effectively and appropriately when interacting with others who are linguistically and culturally different from oneself”. This definition has a dynamic force to it and takes not only a reactive, but also a proactive approach to ICC.

  8. c) Intercultural Sensitivity • Intercultural sensitivity refers to one’s ability to discriminate and experience relevant cultural differences (Hammer, Bennett, and Wiseman, 2003). • Basically, intercultural sensitivity is one’s capacity to identify multiple facets or perspectives of a situation or behavior, bearing in mind both one’s own cultural values and those of others.

  9. Chen (1997) sees the basic components of intercultural sensitivity as empathy, self esteem (sense of self-value), self-monitoring, interaction involvement, open-mindedness, and non-judgment. These affective elements are considered prerequisites for an individual to be interculturally sensitive (Chen & Starosta, 2000).

  10. . They attribute five reasons the world has become global: • 1. The development of communication and transportation; • 2. Migration of population among nations; • 3. The globalization of world economy and multinationals; • 4. Diversification of workforce; and • 5. Regional alliances

  11. Developing Intercultural Communication & Interacting Effectively & Appropriately • Respect (valuing other cultures) • Openness (to intercultural learning and to people from other cultures) • Tolerance for ambiguity • Flexible (in using appropriate communication styles and behaviors) • Curiosity and discovery

  12. Cont… • Withholding judgment • Cultural self-awareness/understanding • Understanding others’ worldviews • Culture-specific knowledge • Sociolinguistic awareness (awareness of using other languages in social contexts)

  13. Cont… • Skills to listen, observe and interrupt • Skills to analyze, evaluate, and relate • Empahty (do unto others as you would have others do unto you) • Adaptability (to different communication styles/behaviors, to new cultural environments) • Communication Skills (appropriate and effective communication in intercultural settings)

  14. The SCORE • The SCORE Communication Principles are a set of guidelines for communicating effectively and appropriately across cultures • It helps minimize miscommunications

  15. S C O R E • Simplify and Specify • Clarify and Confirm • Organize and Outline • Rephrase and Reframe • Explain with Examples

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