Intercultural Communication Institute

32 | Teaching Intercultural Communication

This workshop presents an overview of relevant intercultural competence concepts, effective approaches to teaching this important subject, and a selection of appropriate teaching methods.

Designed for
Teaching professionals or academic administrators who wish to introduce or expand intercultural communication in their curriculum.

Experience first-hand the instructional philosophy, goals, and strategies in teaching an intercultural communication course
Discuss challenging issues in teaching intercultural communication from an integrative intercultural and diversity competence perspective
Understand various identity-based communication themes in contemporary U.S. society and international arenas
Use a value dimensional approach to analyze diverse cultural interaction episodes
Sample essential theories and concepts in explaining stereotypes and intergroup biases
Develop effective interactive teaching strategies in facilitating a mindful consciousness in the students
Explore how active learning exercises can be linked to intercultural concepts such as cultural values analysis, different identity frames, ingroup-outgroup boundaries, verbal and nonverbal communication styles, intergroup conflicts, and culture shock

Learning Activities

Discussion of basic conceptual frameworks in teaching intercultural communication
Examination of lecture modules on selected intercultural communication topics
Consideration and experience of different instructional modes such as lectures/discussions, self-assessment tests, critical incident analyses, small group discussions, video analyses, intercultural simulations, and effective debriefing
Active dialogue on successful instructional strategies and appropriate communication skills for managing classroom diversity

(If you have an intercultural-related exercise/activity/assignment that works well, please bring at least twenty-five copies to share.)

Faculty: Leeva Chung and Stella Ting-Toomey

Dr. Leeva C. Chung is an associate professor at the University of San Diego on the faculties of both the Department of Communication Studies and Ethnic Studies. She also conducts training among Rainbow Educators and human resource groups. Leeva’s research interests include ethnic and global identity, intergroup perceptions, aging across cultures, and pop culture. She has published in the International Journal of Intercultural Relations, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, and Communication Research Reports. She recently co-authored a textbook, Understanding Intercultural Communication, with Stella Ting-Toomey.

Dr. Stella Ting-Toomey is a professor of human communication studies at California State University, Fullerton. She has published numerous books, chapters, and articles on the topics of intercultural facework, conflict styles, and conflict competence. Three of her recent books are Understanding Intercultural Communication, with Leeva Chung, and The Sage Handbook of Conflict Communication and Managing Intercultural Conflict Effectively, with John Oetzel. Stella has held major leadership roles in international communication associations and has served on more than fifteen editorial boards. She designs and conducts training for corporations and universities in the area of intercultural communication competence practice and has lectured widely throughout the U.S., Asia, and Europe on the theme of mindful transformational competence.