Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan

Cross-Cultural Training

Learning Objective: This course will discuss high and low context language, the diversity of language, interaction and non-verbal communication. At the end of this course students will learn that language is always classified in various ways based on various cultures. They will also recognize that despite the disparities in classification, language is still a method of communication whether it is non-verbal or verbally.

High and Low Context Language

High context language is language that utilizes different vocal tones, facial expressions and body language in order to get the point of the message across. With this type of communication the listener has to read between the lines of the non verbal and verbal aspects to completely understand the message. Examples of high context cultures are countries located in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Low context communication relies on the literal meaning of the words . Low context cultures prefer explicit conversation where words simply convey the message. Low context groups prefer conducting communications in writing because there is no subtlety. Examples of Low context countries are the United States and Germany.

Conversational Taboos

There are differing conversational taboos that the students will need to be made aware of while learning what effects language has on intercultural communications within a business. These topics include but are not limited to sex, religion, political ideas, and money. In conjunction with this, students will also learn that it is taboo to make a comment on a person’s appearance while they are still in the room as well as not gossip about an individual in the same room.

Nonverbal Communication

There are several aspects of non verbal