Intercultural Communication Institute

29 | 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. Participants who have an intercultural-related exercise/activity/ assignment that works well are invited to bring 25 copies to share.

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

Objectives
Participants will have the opportunity to:

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 inter-group 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

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 enjoys teaching intercultural communication, global teams, plus ethnic identity and interaction. Leeva also conducts training among Rainbow Educators and human resource groups. Her research interests include ethnic and global identity, intergroup perceptions, and pop culture. She has published in the International Journal of Intercultural Relations, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, and Communication Research Reports. Her most recent publication is Understanding Intercultural Communication, co-authored with Stella Ting-Toomey. Leeva is the 2007 winner of the USD’s competitive Innovations in Experiential Education Award.

Dr. Stella Ting-Toomey is a professor of human communication studies at California State University, Fullerton. Her teaching passions include intercultural conflict competence and intercultural communication training. She has published 17 books and over 90 book chapters and journal articles on the topics of cross-cultural 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 15 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 intercultural conflict competence. Stella is the 2008 recipient of the California State University Wang Family Excellence Award and the CSU-Fullerton Outstanding Professor Award in recognition for her contributions to teaching, research, and service.