Intercultural communication is important in the modern world due to the close relations between countries and cultures and their influence on each other. However, not everyone has the skills and knowledge necessary for effective intercultural communication. These skills can be developed with the help of a person experienced in communication or by self-studying. Efficiently communicating thoughts and ideas to a person of a different culture or ethnicity is crucial for establishing a thriving intercultural relationship.
People who need help in improving their intercultural communication skills are usually those who interact with the representatives of other countries and cultures. Eventually, everyone should have at least some knowledge in the area to avoid getting involved in an ambiguous situation (5 tips for improving your intercultural communication skills, n.d.). People should be culturally competent to understand individuals of various cultural backgrounds and effectively communicate with them.
One of the ideas that I can share with people to implement in their lives concerns the improvement of cultural sensitivity or awareness. Cultural awareness helps build relationships with people who have a different ethnical backgrounds. Since the values differ in various countries, some ideas or assumptions may be perceived differently. Apart from that, different cultures may presume different communication styles. The best way to develop cultural sensitivity and awareness, in my opinion, is to compare one’s own culture and values with those of other ethnicities in order to find differences and similarities. People should not only compare the values of their culture and other ethnicities but study the latter. The best way to do it is to study the language of the target country and learn to be tolerant of its citizens.
These actions will help shift the focus from oneself toward other people, which is necessary for those who want to gain intercultural competency. When people are aware of intercultural differences, they learn to value them, which is crucial for respective communication. Valuing the culture and ethnicity of the interlocutor and being respectful and polite towards them is a crucial element in any intercultural dialogue.
Reference
5 tips for improving your intercultural communication skills. (n.d.). Learning Lands. Web.