Topic 1
What is culture
The sum of a way of life,including expected behaviour, values, languages and living practices
Discovery
Tolerating ambiguity and viewing it as a positive experience; willingness to move beyond one’s comfort zone.
What is intercultural competence?
he ability to develop targeted knowledge, skills and attitudes that lead to visible behaviour and communication that are both effective and appropriate in intercultural interactions
Refers to an individual who learns to be flexible, adaptable, empathetic and adopts an ethno-relative perspective.
Internal outcomes
Cultural self- awareness
Articulating how one’s own culture has shaped one’s identity and worldview.
External outcomes
Refers to the observable behaviour and communication styles of the individual. They are the visible evidence that the individual is (or is learning to be) interculturally competent.
Grasp of global issues and trends
Explaining the meaning and implications of globalization and relating local issues to global forces.
Sociolinguistic awareness
Acquiring basic local language skills, articulating differences in verbal/non-verbal communication and adjusting one’s speech to accommodate nationals from other cultures.