Cross-Cultural Training Courses
Nicole Späth,
Cultural Scientist M.A.
and Cross-Cultural Trainer
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
Introduction into Culture, Cross-Cultural
Communication and Cultural Standards
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
“We ... say of some people that they are transparent to us. It is,
however, important as regards this observation that one human
being can be complete enigma to another. We learn this when
we come into a strange country with entirely strange traditions;
and, what is more, even given a mastery of the country‘s
language. We do not understand the people.“
(Wittgenstein, in: Geertz, 1973)
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
What is Culture?
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
There are many different definitions of Culture. In the
Cross-Cultural Communication anthropological
definitions are often used:
Cultures are webs of significance, spun by human beings, with a lot
of signs (=acts) – thick description is anthropological practice of
explaining with as much detail as possible the reason behind human
actions. (cp. Geertz 1973)
Culture is a common (invisible) system of values and meanings,
that becomes visible by people‘s behaviours and actions as well as
by specific artefacts. (cp. Maletzke, 1999)
Culture is a universal, typical system of orientitation of a society,
organisation or a group. (cp.Thomas, 1996)
Culture is the entirety of human beings‘ lifes – how they live together.
(cp. UNESCO, 1996)
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
Hofstede´s “Iceberg-Model“:
Culture as an Iceberg
visible artefacts and behaviour (e.g. greeting)
invisible values, rules and behavioural norms
(e.g. norms of greeting) = “cultural sense”
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
Hofstede´s “Iceberg-Model“:
Culture as an Iceberg
architecture
greeting
clothes
visible artefacts and behaviour: clothing,
architecture, greeting...)
invisible values, rules and behavioural norms :
clothing order, building rules, etiquette...
= “cultural sense”
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
Cultures are signified by Cultural Standards which
are important for people‘s orientations.
These specific cultural associations and values are so called
“Cultural Dimensions“ (Geert Hofstede), “Cultural Orientation“
(Karl-Heinz Flechsig) or specific “Cultural Standards“ (Alexander
Thomas). Cultural Standards help to orientate oneself in the huge
system of culture – like signs on a trail.
Cultural Standards are responsible for what members of
a culture perceive, how they think, and how they act.
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
Cultural Standards are responsible for what
members of a culture perceive, how they think,
and how they act.
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Experience of time and interpersonal space
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Communication styles: Verbal Communication (e.g. open +
direct or polite + indirect); nonverbal communication
(gestures, facial expressions, more or less physical contact
aso.)
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Hierarchical order (incl. meaning of authority)
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Social reference systems (individualistic or collectivistic)
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
In Cross-Cultural Communication foreign
phenomena are often interpreted by
own Cultural Standards.
Cross-Cultural Communication means that people with different Cultural
Standards get together and interact. For everybody his own standards
are quite obvious and universal – everybody has his own cultural
perspective.
Problem of Ethnocentrism:
Foreign phenomena are interpreted by our Cultural
Standards.
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
Crossing Cultures can be difficult!
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
Cross-Cultural Training shall help you to get along
with people from different Cultures and different
Cultural Standards.
In the training you shall:
- improve your self-perception
- expand your perception of foreign cultural
standards
- try, not to interpret too early
- acquire the ability to solve cross-cultural
misunderstandings or conflicts
Cultural relativism:
No culture is better or worse, only different!
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
Exercises for Cross-Cultural Trainings
Improvement of self-perception:
- View from a window
- Cultural questionnaire
- Questionnaire of interpersonal distance
Expansion of perception of others and trying not to interpret too early:
- Mars anthropology
Training of cross-cultural working situations:
- role plays and simulations
(e.g. Ecotonos, East-West, The Owl, MultiKulti)
Ability to solve cross-cultural misunderstandings or conflicts:
- Critical Incidents and Cultural Assimilator
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
MultiKulti
Trados
WE - Group oriented
TIME is not precisely measured
Obedience to AUTHORITY
INDIRECT COMMUNICATION
© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
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MultiKulti
Indivos
I – self-reliant
TIME is precisely measured –
must be productively used
Individual rights are very important –
mild suspicion of AUTHORITY
DIRECT COMMUNICATION
© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
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MultiKulti
Flexos
I – self-reliant
TIME should be productively used,
but do not like stress
Obedience to RULES/LAWS
INDIRECT COMMUNICATION
HARMONY – do not like conflicts, try to solve them
© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
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CC Training Courses for international students – 1st day
12.30 – 12.40 p.m. :
Welcoming and presentation of the program
12.40 – 1.10 p.m. :
Introduction to eachother
1.10 – 2.30 p.m. :
Introduction into Culture, Cross-Cultural
Communication and Cultural Standards
2.30 – 2.40 p.m. :
Questionnaire „Interpersonal Distance“
2.40 – 3.00 p.m. :
coffee break
3.00 – 3.10 p.m. :
Presentation of questionnaire results
„Interpersonal Distance“
3.10 – 4.40 p.m. :
„Marsanthropology“ – exercise on cultural change
of perspectives
4.40 – 5.00 p.m. :
coffee break
5.00 – 5.30 p.m. :
Communication exercises
5.30 – 6.00 p.m. :
Geert Hofstede‘s Cultural Dimensions
http://www.geert-hofstede.com/
6.00 – 6.30 p.m. :
German images
6.30 – 7.00 p.m. :
Conclusions
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
CC Training Courses for international students – 2nd day
9.15 – 9.30 a.m. :
Welcoming
9.30 – 10.00 a.m. :
Theories of multiculturalism
10.00 – 10.45 a.m. :
“Wau Wau“ – team game
10.45 – 11.00 a.m. :coffee break
11.00 – 12.00 a.m. :Introduction into multicultural team building
12.00 – 1.00 p.m. :
lunch break
1.00 – 1.15 p.m. :
Introduction into the simulation “MultiKulti“
1.15 – 6.30 p.m. :
Simulation of a cross-cultural project work in a team
6.30 – 7.00 p.m. :
Conclusions
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
CC Training Courses for international students – 3rd day
09.15 – 09.30 a.m. :
Welcoming
09.30 – 10.00 a.m. :
Communication exercises
10.00 – 10.15 a.m. :
coffee break
10.15 – 11.30 a.m. :Introduction into conflict theories and solution
strategies
11.30 – 12.00 a.m. :Film cross-cultural mediation
12.00 – 1.00 p.m. :
lunch break
1.00 – 1.30 p.m. :
1.30 – 5.00 p.m. :
5.00 – 5.30 p.m. :
5.30 – 6.00 p.m. :
Introduction into critical incidents and cultural
assimilator
Critical Incidents and Cultural Assimilator –
exercises with individual critical incidents
Conclusions and evaluation
Discussions for homeworks
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011
Literature and link tips
Flechsig, K.-H.: Beiträge zum Interkulturellen Training, Institut für Interkulturelle
Didaktik e.V., überarb. Aufl. 2005.
Geertz, C.: The Interpretation of Cultures, New York 1973.
Geertz, C.: Dichte Beschreibung, Beiträge zum Verstehen kultureller Systeme, 6.
Aufl. 1999.
Heringer, J.: Interkulturelle Kommunikation, Grundlagen und Konzepte,
Tübingen/Basel 2004.
Kumbier, D./Schulz von Thun, F. (Hg.): Interkulturelle Kommunikation:
Methoden, Modelle, Beispiele, Hamburg 2006.
Losche, H.: Interkulturelle Kommunikation, Sammlung praktischer Spiele und
Übungen, 1. Aufl., 1995.
Maletzke, G.: Interkulturelle Kommunikation, Zur Interaktion zwischen Menschen
verschiedener Kulturen, Opladen 1996.
Thomas, A., Kammhuber, S. & Schroll-Machl, S. (Hg.):
Handbuch Interkulturelle Kommunikation und Kooperation, Band 2: Länder,
Kulturen und interkulturelle Berufstätigkeit, Göttingen 2003.
Thomas, A. & Yoosefi, T. (Hg.): Beruflich in Russland, Trainingsprogramme für
Manager, Fach- und Führungskräfte (Handlungskompetenz im Ausland),
Göttingen 2003.
Several other authors on the topic „Beruflich in...“
http://www.geert-hofstede.com
http://wwwuser.gwdg.de/~kflechs/iikdiaps3-98.htm
http://www.mumis-projekt.de/ci/
© Nicole Späth, Kulturwissenschaftlerin M.A. und interkulturelle Trainerin, Hamburg 2010
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Thank you !
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© Nicole Späth, Cultural Scientist M.A. and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Hamburg 2011