Culture is a way of life established by a group of people and passed on to succeeding generations. People within a culture usually share common values, beliefs, and perspectives and have the same language and communication style. Although people within a culture must live in close proximity while the culture is being established, future generations frequently relocate to other countries or regions. This creates situations of cross-cultural exchanges.
As we become increasingly diverse, there is a growing demand for cross‑cultural communication in the workplace. Technology allows us to communicate with peers across the globe, as though they were sitting in our offices. Efficient and cost-effective travel makes it possible to communicate face-to-face with clients in other countries. In addition, companies seeking diverse and highly skilled employees find a conglomeration of cultures among them. As a result, employers are emphasizing cross-cultural communication in their own organizations to prepare employees to work with diverse co-workers and clients.
In this course you will learn to: discuss the value of culture and the significance of cross-cultural communication in the workplace, and describe the impact of cultural differences on communication, and avoid miscommunication and conflicts that arise due to these difference.
This Instructor's Edition of this course includes notes and suggestions to assist you in presenting the material, whether in an in-person classroom setting, or as an instructor-led online or distance-learning course. It also provides you with the answers to questions found in mid-lesson activities, as well as in the quiz that concludes the course.