Intercultural

Communication
Unit Objectives
In this unit, you should be able to:
● define intercultural communication;
● show sensitivity to one’s culture,
gender, age, social status, and religion;
● use various strategies to prevent
communication breakdown; and
● demonstrate skills to achieve
effective communication.
Lesson 1: Culture and Communication

All nations have different ways and means to

express their customs and traditions based
on their particular culture and beliefs. In this
lesson, we will discuss culture and its
relationship with communication.
VOCABULARY:

CULTURE- the customary beliefs, values and

attitudes of racial, religious and social group

Intercultural Communication- between

individuals who have different cultures

Self – awareness- an understanding of one’s

self and place in society
Culture can be understood as the system
of knowledge that is shared by a particular
group composed of a relatively large number
of individuals.
Culture is created, learned, and shared.
Take a look at this example:
Will, an American, took a trip to Seoul,
South Korea. Upon arriving at the home
where he will stay, he entered the house with
his shoes on, and he noticed that members
of his host family looked displeased.
 L E
M P
X A
E
Juan and Marna attended an intimate dinner
with Marna’s Chinese family. Marna: You’re
very rude. Juan: Why? What did I do?
Marna: You did not compliment Auntie Min
Yi’s cooking. Juan: But it was really good. I
ate a lot. Marna: You have to tell her that, of
course!
Lesson 2: Gender and Age
How do you differentiate the way you
communicate with your grandparents and
your friends?
How about the way you interact with your
male friends and your female friends?
In this lesson, we will discuss
communication in relation to a person’s
gender and age.
One’s culture is not just influenced by one’s
upbringing.
1. Gender In general, men and women differ in
terms of their communication style.
In men-only conversations, some tend to
dominate the conversation, and they seldom talk
about their private lives. On the other hand, in
women-only conversations, they usually allow
everyone to participate, and they often talk about
their personal relationships.
The following table contains characteristics and differences of
communication styles between genders. However, note that
these differences do not apply to everyone because of
different cultures and views on gender roles.
The following table contains characteristics and differences of
communication styles between genders. However, note that
these differences do not apply to everyone because of
different cultures and views on gender roles.
In intercultural communication, nonverbal communication also
differs significantly between genders and across cultures.
Here are some examples:
In intercultural communication, nonverbal communication also
differs significantly between genders and across cultures.
Here are some examples:
2. Age
People of different ages or generations may have difficulty
communicating with one another. A person’s age or the
generation to which he or she belongs influences the way he
or she communicates with others
Age-related communication also reflects culture. In Filipino
culture, for example, pagmamano and Filipino expressions
such as po and opo are taught to children at an early age as
a sign of politeness and respect to the elders.
In Turkish culture, kissing the right hand is a common way of
greeting the elders.
Read the situations and answer the questions that follow:
Situation : A group of teenagers was boisterous inside a
coffee shop. On the opposite table, a group of elders who are
quietly talking was interrupted by the loud noise from the
opposite table.
1. How do you think the elders would react to the kind of
behavior they see in the teenagers’ table?
2. An elder approaches the table and reprimands the group
about the noise. How do you think the teenagers would react
or respond to this reprimand?
3. If you were one of the teenagers in the table, how will you
address the problem?
Lesson 3: Social Status and Religion

We live in a community composed of

people with diverse social status and
religious beliefs. It is important that we
become sensitive in terms of
communicating with those who have
different beliefs and principles as we do.
Intercultural communication occurs
not just between people who are of
different nationalities or age. It can also
occur when people differ in social status
and religious beliefs.
1. Social Status Differences in social
status may affect the way we
communicate with others.
There are two elements of social class:
a. Ascribed social class is determined
at birth through characteristics such as
age, sex, race, and family background.
b. Achieved social class is acquired
through a person’s ability, talent, skill, and
perseverance. This can be seen in their
educational attainment or occupation.
Here are some examples of evidence of
social status in some cultures:

A person of lower status is

introduced to a person of higher
status in a formal business
setting.
Here are some examples of evidence of
social status in some cultures:

A person of lower status is introduced to

a person of higher status in a formal
business setting.
Here are some examples of evidence of
social status in some cultures:
In many Western and Eastern cultures, it is usually a
custom that a person with a higher rank is introduced
formally in a formal business setting. They are expected
to show proper courtesy such as giving a firm
handshake or allowing the person of higher rank to sit
first before sitting down. In Japanese business culture
where titles are very important, people exchange
business cards that clearly state their ranks even before
they shake hands or bow.
Here are some examples of evidence of
social status in some cultures:
Bowing as an indicator of status

Bowing in Japan also indicates status.

A person with lower status must bow

lower than the person with higher status.
Effective Communication Skills
The previous lessons presented ways on
how to deal with individuals who are of a
different culture, age, gender, religion,
and social status. In this lesson, we will
discuss ways on how to communicate
effectively with other people.
Effective Communication Skills
Recognizing the different barriers to effective communication is
important to be able to avoid communication breakdown. Here
are some barriers that may cause breakdown in
communication.
1. Barriers in Communication Here are some reasons why
breakdown in communication occurs.
a. Language barriers - These manifest when two individuals
do not have a common language, have an unfamiliar accent,
or use unfamiliar words or expressions, jargon, and idioms.
An Australian speaking to a Filipino for directions to the LRT
station
Effective Communication Skills
b. Cultural barriers - These are evident when there is
difficulty in communication due to differing principles, views,
and beliefs. This is also applicable to those who are
insensitive to other people’s heritage.
A Catholic person who does not accept a person’s
belief in the existence of zombies and ghosts
c. Physical barriers - These are hindrances to better
communication caused by environmental factors such as
noise, lighting, and distance between the receiver and
speaker.
Two friends who are talking when they are two rows away
from each other.
Effective Communication Skills
d. Prejudging - This happens when a person believes he or
she understood what the speaker means even before the
message is completely expressed. It can also happen when
the receiver immediately judges the message as
unimportant.
Members of a paintball team ignoring their leader
because he was very bossy and arrogant, but the
leader’s advice is actually sound and helpful
e. Information overload – This happens when one gives
too much information at a time.
A professor giving a three-hour nonstop physics
lecture on magnets and solenoids
 Effective Communication Skills
f. Lack of interest and attention - This happens
when a person gives information that does not interest
others or a person does not give attention to either the
speaker or his or her message.

A child watching television while his mother talks

to him about spending less time on television

It is important to deal with communication barriers so

you can have smooth and effective communication.