Communication with other cultures

Strategies for communicating with other cultures

As I reflected on how I communicate with other cultures, I realized I am not happy with all of my actions in the past.  I have spoken louder or too slowly.  I have consciously tried to use simple words.  I have done things based on assumptions that may have been false.

In my discussion group this week I talked about Fatima and her older sister who drops her off on ESOL nights.  I made the mistake of talking to my co-teacher about them in front of the sister.  We were discussing whether we should let the older sister stay with Fatima or not.  I think we assumed the sister did not understand us.  To the sister's credit, she went ahead and entered the conversation, asking, "Do you think she needs to learn to stay by herself?"

One time I had a child in my class whose mother wore a complete Hijab.  All I could see was her eyes.  I looked her straight in the eyes when I spoke to her but I am not sure this was right.  I wanted to do that because I felt sorry for her, making assumptions about why she had to wear that clothing.  But I wasn't thinking about what was right for her.

These reflections lead me to several goals for communicating in the future with people of other cultures.

1.  Find out the person's name as soon as possible.  I have been talking about Fatima and her sister for two weeks and still don't know the sister's name.

2.  Continue to find out about other cultures so I am prepared to treat others as they want to be treated.

3.  Make a conscious effort to talk to the ESOL parents just as I would any other parents of my students.  I will speak in a normal voice, using the most meaningful words and at a normal pace.

4.  Look to the directors of the ESOL program for guidance more often. Share my stories so they can be passed along to other teachers and volunteers to help them.

5.  Always be thankful for these opportunities I am having to get to know these beautiful people from around the world.

"With this diversity comes a growing awareness that learning about differences, especially cultural differences, can affect every aspect of people's lives in positive ways.  You need not travel the world to interact with people who may seem strange to you: the world is traveling to you." (Beebe, 2011, p 86) 

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

 Chapter 4, "Interpersonal Communication and Diversity: Adapting to Others" (pp. 85–114)