Intercultural Awareness
WHAT DID INTERCULTURAL
1
AWARENESS MEAN TO YOU BEFORE
THE MODULE
My understanding of intercultural awareness:
Focused on visible cultural elements like language and customs,
aligning with Chen's (1998) view of surface-level cultural
recognition.
I lacked insight into the deeper norms and values that shape
behaviors and communication, reflecting what Baker (2011)
describes as "basic cultural awareness."
HOW HAS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF
INTERCULTURAL AWARENESS DEVELOPED
DURING THE MODULE, PRESENT RELEVANT
2
THEORIES
My understanding of intercultural awareness (ICA)
evolved into recognizing it as a flexible, analytical skill
that goes beyond recognizing cultural differences,
aligning with Holliday’s (2018) view of cultures as
interconnected systems. Relevant theories include:
Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory (1980)
Trompenaars’ Seven Dimensions (2011)
Cultural Intelligence (CQ) theory (Earley & Ang,
2003)
DISCUSS YOUR CURRENT LEVEL OF
INTERCULTURAL AWARENESS AND SKILLS
3 My intercultural awareness and skills are still developing.
I’ve shifted from a “one-size-fits-all” approach to a more
empathetic understanding of how collectivism and
individualism influence communication and priorities
(Pusch, 2009; Jandt, 2013). Also, I now also recognize the
impact of factors like nationality, family, and religion on
behavior (Chao & Moon, 2005;), but I still need to improve
cross-cultural empathy and adaptability (Neuner, 2003).
EXPLAIN WHAT DEVELOPMENT WOULD
FURTHER ENHANCE YOUR INTERCULTURAL
4
SKILLS
To enhance my intercultural skills, I plan to focus on
increasing my tolerance for ambiguity and cognitive
flexibility, which will help me navigate cross-cultural
situations with greater openness (Pusch, 2009).
I also would focus on developing cross-cultural empathy
through active listening and understanding of cultural
norms which will improve my communication and
adaptability (Neuner, 2012; Kramsch, 2009).
WHY DO YOU THINK INTERCULTURAL
AWARENESS WILL BE IMPORTANT TO YOUR
5
WORKING LIFE AS WE ADVANCE
Intercultural awareness will
Enhance my communication and collaboration across
diverse cultures
Foster in me a spirit of teamwork and innovation (Bhawuk
& Brislin, 1992; Deardorff, 2011).
Assist me build effective relationships with international
clients and partners in a globalized workforce (Spitzberg &
Changnon, 2009).
Provide me a competitive advantage in international
markets (Hofstede, 2006).
REFERENCE
Baker, W., 2011. Intercultural awareness: Modelling an understanding of cultures in intercultural
communication through English as a lingua franca. Language and intercultural communication, 11(3),
6
pp.197-214.
Bhawuk. D.P.S. & Brislin, R. (1992) The
measurement of intercultural sensitivity using the concepts of individualism and collectivism
1992, International Journal of Intercultural Relations
Chao, G.T., Moon,nH. (2005) The Cultural Mosaic: A Metatheory for Understanding the Complexity of
Culture. Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol 90(6), Nov 2005, 1128-1140
Deardoff, D.K. (2011). Assessing intercultural competence
Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture’s consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and
organizations across nations. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Holliday, A. (2018). Understanding Intercultural Communication: Negotiating a Grammar of Culture
(2nd ed.). Routledge. [Link]
Jandt, F.E. (2004). Intercultural Communication: A Global Reader
Kramsch, C. (2014). Language and Culture. AILA Review, Volume 27, Issue 1, p. 30 – 55
Neuner, G. (2003). Intercultural Competence
Human Rights Education/Intercultural Education Language policies
REFERENCE
Pusch, M. (2009). The SAGE Handbook of Intercultural Competence: "The
interculturally competent global leader." The SAGE handbook of intercultural
7
competence
Spitzberg, B. H., & Chagnon, G. (2009). Conceptualizing intercultural
communication competence. In D. K. Deardorff (Ed.), The SAGE Handbook of
intercultural competence (pp. 2–52). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Trompenaars, F. and Woolliams, P., 2009. Getting the measure of intercultural
leadership. Contemporary leadership and intercultural competence: Exploring
cross-cultural dynamics within organizations, pp.161-174.