Intercultural communication

How to collaborate effectively with partners from different cultures, to work for foreign companies and to attract customers from across the world

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What you will get:

Understand what culture is and learn why it is essential to study other countries’ traditions and rules
Learn about the barriers to effective communication with people from other cultures and how to overcome them
Take a detailed look at direct and indirect communication styles in intercultural communication
Explore cultural dimensions of different countries
Begin to build your cultural awareness skill

About this course

In the globalization era, companies and projects are becoming increasingly international. Today, we have opportunities to collaborate with partners from different countries, work for foreign companies and attract buyers and customers from across the world. But this requires language skills and an understanding of intercultural communication. After all, cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. How can this be avoided? You’ll learn about it in our new online course!

During the course you’ll understand how to communicate with people from different countries and cultures. You’ll become familiar with the concept of culture and learn what issues can emerge if you don’t take into account the cultural characteristics of customers, buyers, investors and consumers. You’ll develop your cultural awareness. You’ll find out more about your background’s specifics. You’ll learn to separate cultural generalizations from stereotypes and perceive other cultures with an open mind. Verbal and nonverbal behavior can also hinder effective intercultural communication. You’ll master how to use them to enable your interlocutor to understand you. You’ll find out how to properly prepare for communication. You’ll see why it is important to relax and overcome the fear of making a mistake. Most importantly, you’ll realize that culture is something dynamic. The world is changing, generations replace each other, and globalization is on the rise. The skills and knowledge you gain will help you to remain open and adaptable and to achieve your most ambitious goals!

Course structure

Lesson 1. What is culture and why it is important to take into account cultural background

17:46 min
1 quiz
1 case
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What is culture? Why do you need to learn the rules and traditions of different countries? What can hinder communication with people from other cultures? In the first lesson of the course, you’ll learn all these details and begin to dive into intercultural communication specifics.


In addition, you’ll find out what other factors influence communication with people from other cultures. You’ll also take a test on intercultural communication competency.

Lesson 2. Cultural dimensions: individualism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance

10:46 min
1 quiz
1 case
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Every culture has its own values and priorities system. What is truly important to a culture, and how can you use this information to communicate effectively? This lesson provides all the details!

Additionally, you’ll be able to get a closer look at the indirect communication style in other cultures. You’ll also study comparative tables of collectivism vs. individualism, high and low power distance as well as high and low uncertainty avoidance.

Lesson 3. Cultural dimensions: attitude toward time, masculinity, and indulgence

8:39 min
1 quiz
1 case
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You are already familiar with three of the six dimensions which enable us to better understand a culture. In this lesson, we’ll explore the remaining three: attitude toward time, masculinity, and indulgence.

Additionally, you’ll become familiar with such definitions as monochronic and polychronic cultures and analyze various country-specific indicators. You’ll also study comparative tables on attitudes toward time, femininity and masculinity, and indulgence.

Lesson 4. Cultural awareness

9:45 min
1 case
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In the previous lessons, you learned about the various cultural dimensions that can define a particular culture. Knowledge of these dimensions is a great intercultural communication tool, and it will multiply if you have enhanced cultural awareness. In this lesson, you’ll begin to build it. You’ll learn how to develop cultural awareness, to get rid of stereotypes, and to become more flexible and open-minded.

Additionally, you’ll learn how to develop empathy and create your personal cultural portrait. You’ll also analyze your attitude to various cultures and grasp how to make it more flexible and objective.

Lesson 5. Verbal and nonverbal communication

8:26 min
1 quiz
1 case
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You’ve already learned how to treat other cultures with greater understanding, to develop cultural awareness and to remain open-minded. After all, without all this, it is impossible to communicate effectively with people from other countries. However, two other things can be barriers to interaction, namely, verbal and non-verbal forms of communication. In this lesson, you’ll find out how they manifest themselves and how to use them properly in communication.

The supplementary materials will help you to better prepare for nonverbal communication.

Lesson 6. Tips for effective intercultural communication

7:13 min
1 quiz
1 case
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You have studied cultural dimensions; you know how to develop cultural awareness and to use verbal and nonverbal language in intercultural communication. The final lesson of this course offers several tips to improve the skills you have learned and to help you prepare for communication.

Additionally, you’ll get a handout on relaxation breathing techniques and you’ll set 10 rules of your own for effective intercultural communication. You’ll also learn to analyze how successful your communication was in order to avoid mistakes in the future.

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Куулар Айлаш Орлановна

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