1. Intercultural Communication Alfonso Pezzella Senior Graduate Academic Assistant a.pezzella@mdx.ac.uk Laura Foley Senior Lecturer in Mental Health l.foley@mdx.ac.uk

2. © Middlesex University Learning outcomes At the end of this session you should be able to: Articulate the need for the focus on intercultural communication; Discuss the theoretical underpinnings of intercultural communication, and the meaning of intercultural communication from different viewpoints; Reflect on your own practice in relation to the ability to display intercultural communication; Reflect on when it might be desirable to communicate competently at an intercultural level; Identify strategies to nurture confidence in your own practice when communicating with people from different cultures. Intercultural Communication| 2

3. © Middlesex University Aims The aim of this session is to develop your understanding of culture, and the need for awareness in intercultural communication. You will be engaged in learning through reflection, knowledge acquisition and practical activities. Intercultural Communication| 3

4. © Middlesex University Tip of the iceberg…. Surface :Dress, eat, talk, walk, relate to other, behave in public Hidden :Think, understand, learn, believe, relate to time, relate to the group, relate to power. Presentation title| 4

5. © Middlesex University What makes us different? Race Age Sex Sexual identity and orientation Beliefs Disability Language Religion Culture Presentation title| 5

6. © Middlesex University What do we mean by culture? “A common collectivity of beliefs, values, shared understanding and patterns of behaviour of a designated group of people” (Leininger, 1997; cited in Bach and Grant, 2009 p126) Intercultural Communication| 6

7. © Middlesex University Is there a difference? Race Ethnicity Culture Presentation title| 7

8. © Middlesex University How can these beliefs, values and behaviours affect people from a different culture? Presentation title| 8

9. © Middlesex University Understanding culture Being open to the variety of values and beliefs that each culture may have can also enhance cooperative relationship (Sully and Dallas, 2010). This gives us a wider understanding of culture in the context of historical and societal perspectives. While understanding the cohesive elements of a culture, it is important to also be mindful of the individuality of people that we work and communicate with. Failure to recognise uniqueness and failure to understand that all individuals from a culture will not necessarily have the same values and beliefs can result in stereotyping (Elder et al, 2009). Intercultural Communication| 9

10. © Middlesex University Exercise What are some of the issues to consider when associating with people from different cultures (negative and positive) Presentation title| 10

11. © Middlesex University Intercultural communication Intercultural communication is communication across cultures and social groups. It involves the understanding of different cultures, languages and customs of people from different cultures. It can be referred to as how people from different cultures languages, social and economic backgrounds, beliefs and regions come together to communicate (Ivliyeva, 2013). Intercultural Communication| 11

12. © Middlesex University Activity 1: Cultural awareness Chinese Whispers “Nurses dispense comfort, compassion, and caring without even a prescription” as said by Val Saitsbury Intercultural Communication| 12

13. © Middlesex University Why did this happen? What do we need to consider? How can it be prevented? Intercultural Communication| 13

14. © Middlesex University Activity 2: Cultural sensitivity – working together An English student nurse reported that she felt isolated and ‘left out’ whilst on placement. This was because the majority of staff and students were of African descent. She said that they often spoke in their own language, and when she approached the office where they were, she felt that she was not welcomed as they either continued talking or laughed and ignored her. As she could not understand she assumed this was about her. They would also often share their food and not include her. She felt sad and hurt by this, and wanted to be a part of the team, but did not know how. Discuss in your group the following questions: What are the main factors causing the student to feel isolated? If you were this student, how might you address this problem with the team? What actions can the team take to ensure they include all members of the team regardless of culture? Intercultural Communication| 14

15. © Middlesex University Activity 4: Tools for practice – cultural competence Thinking about what you have learnt today, in small groups come up with 10 Top Tips for communicating competently at intercultural levels. Following the group’s final decision on 10 Top Tips, spend some time reflecting on the process: Did you agree with the final 10 top tips? Was there any disagreement within the group about what should be in the final list? Why was this? How did the group overcome this? Intercultural Communication| 15

16. © Middlesex University 10 Top Tips 1.Be mindful of your assumptions, bias and stereotypes 2.Do not discriminate or stigmatise 3.Be tolerant of other cultures but be also culturally aware 4.Ne respectfully and mindful of cultural differences 5.Do not ignore other people’s cultures, but show and interest in them 6.Ask questions and clarification 7.Be an active listener and mindful of body language 8.Be ready to learn new things 9.Avoid slang and dialects 10.Be self-aware and open minded Intercultural Communication| 16

17. © Middlesex University Culturally competent compassion can be defined as the human quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it using culturally appropriate and acceptable nursing/healthcare interventions which take into consideration both the patients’ and the carers’ cultural backgrounds as well as the context in which care is given. (Papadopoulos, 2011) Learning Culturally Competent Compassion| 17

18. © Middlesex University Some final thoughts… Non ridere, non lugere, neque detestari, sed intelligere (Baruch Spinoza) Learning Culturally Competent Compassion| 18 Not to laugh, not to lament, not to curse, but to understand!

19. © Middlesex University Some finals points… Reflect on what you have learnt How will it help you in your practice? What will you do differently? Anything to share? Intercultural Communication| 19

20. © Middlesex University References: Bach, S. and Grant, A (2009) Communication & Interpersonal Skills for Nurses. Exeter: Learning Matters. Elder, R, Evans, K. & Nizette, D. (2009) Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. Edinburgh: Mosby. Ivliyeva, I. (2013) Intercultural Dimensions. http://sccen.mst.edu/gta/practicalteachingtips/effectiveco mmunicationinterculturaldimensions/ http://sccen.mst.edu/gta/practicalteachingtips/effectiveco mmunicationinterculturaldimensions/ Sully, P. and Dallas, J. (2010) Essential communication skills for Nursing and midwifery. 2nd edition. Edinburgh: Mosby Elsevier Intercultural Communication| 20

21. © Middlesex University Post Session Material HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=PST_OP3F QCKHTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=PST_OP3F QCK HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=LQQTOYST ME4HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=LQQTOYST ME4 HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=NVUU34KZ DRGHTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=NVUU34KZ DRG When you listen to the above video replace the words “BUSINESS” with the word “HEALTHCARE” Intercultural Communication| 21