Communication: No Problem ?Communication: No Problem ?

Quzhou No.2 High School 贵丽萍

When cultures meet

cultural

crossroads

How do we communicate? crossroads

Body language:Body language: unspoken “language”unspoken “language”

GesturesGesturesFacial expressionsFacial expressionsEye contactEye contact(( 眼神交流）眼神交流）postureposture physical distancephysical distance

• Different greeting body languageDifferent greeting body language

1. English people often stand close to others or touch strangers when they meet.

2. People from Jordan may move very close to you as you introduce yourself to them.

3. Americans and Canadians tend to greet each other with a nice gentle handshake.

4. In France, people kiss each other on the cheek when they meet.

5. American people need more personal space than we Chinese people do.

6. Native New Zealanders greet each other by touching noses.

Communication: Communication: no problemno problem

Read and think

What does the writer tell us? (Pair work)

1-Body language in greeting people varies from culture to culture.

2-Different greeting body language may cause misunderstandings.

3-How to avoid the difficulties in body language communication in today’s world of cultural crossroads.

Structure of the passage:

Part 1: background

Part 2: problem-noticing

Part 3: Problem-analyzing

Part 4: Problem-solving

Communication: No problem?

Para1.

Para.2&3

Para.4

Para.5

Para. 1 : background Para. 1 : background

1.Which sentence tells us the background information?

2. Which word tells us these students are new to Beijing?

3. Which sentence do you think can be omitted ( 删去 ) without affecting the flow of the meaning?

Para. 2 & 3Para. 2 & 3

• NamesNames • CountriesCountries

• how many interactions how many interactions （交（交互）互） were observed?were observed?

Para 2&3: Problem-noticing

George

Tony

JuliaAkira

AhmedDarlene

I

Different people represent different cultures.

Para 2&3: Problem-noticing (group work)

Cultural

Shock

Country Name Greeting body

language / reaction

(underline the verbs)

feelings (what’s

running on in their

minds?)

shock 1

shock 2

shock 3

Not all cultures greet each other the same way, nor are they comfortable in the same way with touching or physical distance.

Para 4: Problem-analyzing

Problems occur （出现） because of

____________________.

Causes:

Some actions that we think are impolite, strange, not respectful or rude are actually ordinary practice in other cultures.

cultural differences

When you meet people from …

Dos or Don’ts

Britain

Canada

Japan

Spain, Italy, South American countries

France

Middle East, some Muslim countries

Shake hands. Keep physical distance.

Shake hands

Bow

Approach them closely and touch them.

Shake hands and kiss

Shake hands and stand quite close to men. Nod to women(no touch).

Different cultures Different body language

Para 5: Problem-solving: ways out

b. Awareness （意识） : What we should keep in mind:

a. Action:

1.These actions are not good or bad, but are simply ways in which cultures have developed.

the writer’s opinions?

Study different international customsHidden information: When in Rome, do as the

Romans do.

hidden information

Respect , understand and be open to cultural differences.

Discussion: If you are to study in England, how will you get ready for the cultural shock?

Communication: Communication:

No ProblemNo Problem

1. When in Rome , do as the Romans do.

2. Understanding, respect and tolerance （宽容） are keys to communication in today’s world of cultural crossroads.

• 1. Body language is connected with culture.

• 2. All cultures should be respected.• 3. When in Rome , do as the Romans

do.• 4. Understanding, respect and

tolerance （宽容） are keys to successful cross-cultural communication.

• 5. We are different, but in harmony（和谐） .

Homework:

In today’s world of cultural crossroad, it is not unusual to experience “cultural shocks”. Please writing a short passage based on the discussion in class: “If you are to study in England, how will you get ready for the cultural shocks ?”

Para 5: Problem-solving: ways out

b. Awareness （意识） : What we should keep in mind:

a. Action:

1.These actions are not good or bad, but are simply ways in which cultures have developed.

2. Cultural customs for body language are very general —not all members of a culture behave in the same way.

the writer’s opinions?

Study different international customsHidden information: When in Rome, do as the

Romans do.

Your opinions

hidden information

5. In Japan, eye contact is considered necessary in a conversation.

6. Koreans think it’s rude for adults to smile in public.

7. American people need more personal space than we Chinese people do.