What can I, as a student and an aspiring English teacher, gain from studying

intercultural communication?

Intercultural awareness and communication skills are now a necessary part of life for
most people in most aspects of their lives. Intercultural communication lesson is vital
to teach and promote communication between people with different linguistic and
cultural backgrounds.

As a student, Intercultural Communication course improves my verbal and nonverbal

communication and enhances my ability in recognizing and undertaking
communication behaviours in various contexts. Besides that, by interacting to
students across different nationalities in the classroom, I learn to accept and adapt to
the nature of linguistis, cultural similarities and differences without being judgemental.

Learning about customs and habitual behavious of members from other cultures
develops my personal growth through increased tolerance. I learn to develop positive
attitude towards others despite of our differences. For example, when working in
multicultural group, helping each other with preparations, a collaborative and
constructive atmosphere in the classroom is raised.

Communication is culturally paterned, therefore, speaking rules are different in

different cultures. Different conversational rules can cause misunderstandings among
the speakers. This course teaches me different conversational rules to prevent
intercultural issues and miscommunication.

Intercultural Communication course also promotes knowledge transfer. Students are

encouraged to view people and events from multiple perspectives through cognitive,
behavioral, and effective learning. Armed with this knowledge, I am able to free
myself from limiting world views and restrictive thoughts, and learn to view life
holistically and inclusively.

Intercultural Communication course prepares students for their future careers. In the
intercultural communication course, I learn the importance of living and working with
diverse people through theoretical discussions about cultures, cultural identity,
prejudice and stereotyping, culture shock, and adaptation.
As a teacher in the intercultural communication field, I learn various theories and
methods of communication by doing research in many publications, journals and
congresses. Intercultural Communication involves many other primary academic
disciplines such as Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Linguistics and
Communication. Learning these disciplines and incorporating them in the intercultural
communication lessons give broader understanding to students.

Teachers are demanded to acquire more than purely linguistic skills but rather the
knowledge and competence of transmitting explicit and implicit messages to a
receiver. As a teacher, I was able to help students acquire intercultural
communication knowledge and apply those knowledge to improve general and
specific skills such as responsibility, self-confidence, ethical values, communicative
skills, time management, professional and managerial skills.

Apart from that, as a teacher, I was able to present basic models and concepts, as
well as foment student participation and interaction based on case studies, critical
incidents, problem solution, and selfevaluation. I also discuss contemporary issues
and debates in intercultural communication to enhance students understanding and
proficiency in these aspects of communication. Teaching theoretical and practical
concepts of communication from both contemporary and historical perspectives helps
students relate to issues of cultural autonomy and socio-political justice.

In conclusion, cultural diversity is a challenge as well as an opportunity which can

have either positive or negative influence. Thus, intercultural communication lesson is
a way to help students and teachers to acknowledge and value the differences
among people.

How have I been communicating verbally and nonverbally? Are there aspects I
will need to modify when I teach a class?

The ability of a teacher to establish positive rapport with students is a critical aspect
of the teacher-learner relationship. An effective teacher uses body language to
communicate with students, build rapport with them, and this has a direct correlation
to student achievement.
In my opinion, you are an effective teacher who blends both verbal and nonverbal
communication skills in establishing good rapport with students. You maintain a close
contact that sets up a naturally calm and positive learning environment.

Verbal communication that you practice such as greeting the class and giving
command with a loud, clear, upbeat voice potrays a high confidence level. When
students ask questions, you appear relaxed and ready to listen. This behaviour
creates a supportive and productive learning environment. One of the chief attributes
of you is your ability to break down complex ideas and make them understandable for
your students. You possess the ability to convey your lessons with consistence and
without becoming predictable or boring. You teach your students how to think on their
own rather than telling them what to think.

Your nonverbal communication skills such as facial expressions, body language,

hand gesture and posture are exemplary. The position and posture that you stand in
the classroom allows you to convey the lecture clearly. You adopt different
poses when you want your students to respond in a particular way. For example, you
place your hand on your chin to encourage students to think about the answer and to
show you are waiting for their answer while hands out and palms up to show that you
are open to questions and answering in a nonthreatening way. The habit of leaning
slightly forward when students are asking question creates a friendly environment.
The smiling habit that you adopt conveys happiness and encouragement and draws
the listener in. You make eye contact with students, and that helps establish rapport
and trust, and it shows that youre engaged and listening to the students.

In terms of learning style, you use different learning styles with different people. You
are aware that some students are visual, some grasp the abstract and some learn
best by reading. Not all students will make eye contact, participate in class, question
the teacher, or speak unless spoken to. Learning style also differs by culture. You do
not reprimand students without first understanding the cultural implications of their
behavior.

One aspect that can be improved is by leading students in experiments where they
can evaluate nonverbal behavior. For example, you can have students stand
opposite to each other and practice nonverbal behaviours. This will be very useful for
students to discover what they already know. You can also have students engage in
interviews with people from cultures other than their own to help students learn about
the differences between cultures. Among the questions that can be asked are about
eye contact, body language, and specific gestures. After students have completed
their interviews, they can share and discuss their finding with the whole class.
Organizing a role play also enable your students to express themselves with both
verbal and nonverbal messages. This activity would allow us to discuss any
instances when a student misinterprete another persons nonverbal behavior and
problems that are encountered.

In light of recent events in Malaysia and around the world, what can I do to
develop an intercultural identity,and promote cross-cultural adaptation?

I may not be able to identify with the recent events around the world; but may be able
to reflect the fresh and current trend in Malaysia. During this ongoing times, I have
seen more diverse culture in Malaysia due to a higher and more efficient tourism and
business exposure. For example, based on my personal experience; I love to cycle
and usually take cycling trips around Malaysia from states to states, and I
accidentally met an Austrian foreigner who loves to cycle around South East Asia
whilst working learning and cooking Asian food as a chef whilst traveling (cycling) in
the current place he is at. He has shared with me his cycling experiences around
Asia, and that he has cycled from Laos to Malaysia before. Not only that, he is
currently cycling in Malaysia from state to state; and whilst being hosted by certain
people in those states I hosted him when he was in Kuala Lumpur he would work and
cook for the host after learning to cook the cultural local states food from the host
itself.

During my personal experience hosting the Austrian cyclist in Kuala Lumpur; I tried to
give him the freedom to do or try absolutely anything whilst staying in my guestroom.
For example, he could check out my fridge and cook and eat whatever that was in
there. Based on the people I have hosted so far, some were kind and generous
people to stock the fridge back up; some werent. As I am living with my close
girlfriend, usually she hosts them with me. On days when we are free, we do take
them out to see cultural events such as Navarathi and Lantern Festival or any other
cultural events going on, in conjunction with the timing when we hosts these people.
So far, I and my girlfriend, have been able to learn many cultural traditional dishes
and they learn Asian ones for those who wanted to learn I have also been privilege to
learn and lightly experiment with languages with the people I have hosted in my
experiences. On certain occasions, I have been lucky enough to learn about things
you do and do not do in ones foreign country culturally.

My girlfriend and I have created a Facebook support page for immigrants and expats;
where they can add themselves to the community group and get to know each other
whilst they are here in Malaysia; and also if they have any inquiries at all, we would
be able to help or reply them in regards to their inquiries. Not only that, I also am a
member of couchsurfing- a media app that hosts or helps immigrants or foreigners
who are traveling under a budget; we usually provide and support them for at least a
month before they get on track and while they find their own place or work or next
traveling idea.

Cycling Blog- http://www.fabianstravels.net/fotoblog/

Facebook Expat Page- https://www.facebook.com/groups/flexpats/

Couchsurfing - https://www.couchsurfing.com/

In light of recent events in Malaysia and around the world, what can I do to develop an
intercultural identity, and promote cross-cultural adaptation?

Malaysia has a strong diverse workforce and our companies are leading the way in finding
ways to harness the power and benefits that diversity brings. We encounter diverse people
from another culture and with different ways of communicating in our careers and the
business world. There are five things I can do in regards to develop an intercultural identity
and promote cross-cultural adaptation.

First of all, I should be aware of my own culture. I have realized that self awareness is the first
step to effective intercultural communication. I should analyse the method of communication
I use, whether it is a direct or indirect, the usage of nonverbal gestures and the contexts of
usage. I should also consider to seek agreement from the people who are listening to me when
I make a statement. I must be able to identify my communication style and the aspects of my
culture that shaped the way I interact with others.

Language plays a crucial role to develop an intercultural identity and promote cross-cultural
adaptation. Although English is considered the international language of business, it is a
mistake to assume that every businessperson speaks good English. In fact, only about half of
the 800 million people who speak English learned it as a first language. Those who speak it as
a second language are often more limited than native speakers. When we communicate cross-
culturally, we should make our communication clear, simple and unambiguous. Humor
should be avoided since it is notoriously culture-specific. Many things that is acceptable for
humor in one culture can be seen as very offensive in another.

Next, being a learner is important to develop intercultural identity. When we are trying to
solve a problem with people from different parts of the world, we have a rich opportunity for
learning. Thus, I should focus less on asserting my own opinion or ideas and instead, try to
find out what other people's ideas are, how those ideas might reflect their own culture and
how various points of view could create a stronger solution to my problem.

Besides that, curiosity is important when we are dealing with different cultures. The challenge
and the exciting thing about intercultural communication is that everyone is operating
on different assumptions and values. Traveling abroad is a great way to spark our curiosity
about different cultures. Therefore, I would travel to different places around the world to learn
and understand about other cultures.

Another important aspect of cros-cultural adaptation is to listen and observe. There is a lot of
emphasis placed on the value of speaking and voicing your opinion but not as much value is
placed on observing and listening. We can gain a lot of knowledge if you are willing to listen
more than you talk and watch how others communicate.

Apart from that, we should cultivate and demand mutual acceptance and understanding.
Explaining to friends and colleagues from other culture about my culture with courstesy and
goodwill will maintain a good relationsip with them. Most people will appreciate the
information and will work hard to understand different needs and different means used to
reach common goals.

Lastly, to understand better about someones culture, I should experience the culture. We can
have exposure to different cultures by visiting different kinds of restaurants or districts in our
city. We can also join social groups for international professionals or even attend plays, art
museums or watch movies that are from another culture.

Overall, intercultural identity and cross-cultural adaptation foster people to work together
through any task regardless of geographic location and cultural background.