Summary: First, we reviewed the videos to continue discussion your own cultural misunderstandings, based on the the questions below. Then, we had small group discussions about the homework about the 4Cs video or reading you reviewed.

Then, we observed the video clips below about cultural misunderstandings. This lesson was created by Rosie Dodd, a creative English teacher. 

Zwick, J. (Director). (2002). My big fat Greek wedding [Film]. Golden Circle Films/HBO.

Wang, W. (Director). (1993). The joy luck club [Film]. Hollywood Pictures.

In pairs, discuss your own experiences with cross-cultural misunderstandings. 

Discussion questions:

·      If a tourist were coming to your country or the country you live in now, what advice would you give them? Think about:

o   What to wear in different places

o   How to eat

o   How to greet people

o   How to talk to people of the opposite sex

·      What was the most different culture you’ve been in? Describe it.

·      Have you ever had a cross-cultural misunderstanding? What happened?

·       Why is intercultural awareness important?

Note: These videos are over exaggerations of culture based on Hollywood, USA movie productions. Nevertheless, they are useful for our cultural communication discussions. 

After each clip, here are some discussion questions. You can also make your own:

·      What cross-cultural differences/misunderstandings were in the movie clip?

·      How did the actors react to these issues?

·      Why did these misunderstandings happen?

·      What would you do in this situation?

Mr. Baseball: Meet the Family and Etiquette in Japan

Cross-culture Etiquette: Mr. Baseball

Outsourced: A US transfer to India

Cross-Cultural Business Etiquette: Outsourced

In pairs, discuss your own experiences with cross-cultural misunderstandings. 

Discussion questions:

If a tourist were coming to your country or where you live now, what advice would you give them? Think about:

    -What to wear in different places

    -How to eat

    -How to greet people

    -How to talk to people of the opposite sex

What was the most different culture you’ve ever experienced?? Describe it.

Have you ever had a cross-cultural misunderstanding? What happened?

Why is cross-cultural awareness important for diversity?

Feedback as a class.

Homework for Class 04: Please choose one video or reading that is the most interesting to you to view with the closed captions (CC) to read, and then reflect and analyze what you observed and complete the 4-Cs worksheet attached below. The four Cs are concepts, challenges, connections, and changes. If you prefer to read, there are also reading options too!

Please email the homework by Sunday, 06/25/2023 by 4PM.

Note: Please experiment and chose the option you like best. If the option you selected does not work for you, please try another or search for your cultural viewing. If you choose your original homework, please email me.

Then, I can share your fantastic cultural homework with the group. 
If you would like to discuss the same video, please arrange this with your classmate, and watch the same video or do the same reading. That’s okay too, and fun!

Reading Option 1: Fundamental/Intermediate
International Relations EDU. (2019). 5 ways to avoid mistakes in cross-cultural communication. International Relations EDU.         https://www.internationalrelationsedu.org/5-ways-to-avoid-mistakes-in-cross-cultural-communication/

This reading reveals five ways to avoid mistakes in cross-cultural communication. 
Reading Option 2: Intermediate/Advanced

Toegal, G., & Barsoux, J-L. (2016). 3 situations were cross-cultural communication breaks down. Harvard Business Review.  https://hbr.org/2016/06/3-situations-where-cross-cultural-communication-breaks-down

Toegal and Barsoux (2016) reveal the three most common situations were cross-cultural communication breaks down. 

Video Option 1: Cultural Norms Around the World: Cultural Norms Around the World: Fact Point

The ‘fact point’ broadcasting service suggests that since that because not everyone can travel the globe, they bring the world to you. In this episode, the presenters compare and contrast different cultures from different societies.

Video Option 2: Cultural Differences, National Geographic Sudanese/US Cultural Differences: National Geographic

National Geographic highlights how Sudanese (from the country of Sudan) feel cultural differences when they lived in America.

Attachments: 

ESP1b Intercultural Global Citizenship Syllabus4CsTEDTalk_WorksheetDownload

Student-Sample-Homework_4Cs Video