Discussion/Response: Improving Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC)

While formal intercultural experiences like studying abroad or volunteering for the Special Olympics or a shelter for LGBTQ youth can provide opportunities for deep learning, informal intercultural involvement also plays a significant role in our ability and desire to build Intercultural Communication Competency (ICC). Taking the time to reflect on “critical incidents” or what we call the “a-ha! moments” in our lives, bring those formal and informal experiences together and provide a tool for meta-competence. Furio Bednarz, “Building Up Intercultural Competences: Challenges and Learning Processes,” in Building Competencies: A Handbook for Professionals in Education, Social Work, and Health Care, eds. Maria Giovanna Onorati and Furio Bednarz (Leuven, Belgium: Acco, 2010), 47–51.

After carefully studying this unit’s 4 lessons on Intercultural Communication (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, and 14.4.), choose one of the following 5 videos and comment on the following–

• What this speaker is attempting to say to you
• How the speaker has helped or hindered your understanding of intercultural competence
• How you would respond to the belief that– We cannot truly understand and appreciate another person’s culture until we recognize, understand, and appreciate our own
• What else are you thinking about? What are you feeling? What are you believing? Do you have other comments you’d like to make? 

Remember as you choose just one of the following videos to develop your response, you’ll want to include your perspective supported by materials from the video and the readings within this unit.

Choose either How to Build Your Confidence– and Spark it in Others – Brittany Packnett Cunnigham https://youtu.be/b5ZESpOAolU

Or Machismo Hurts Men Too – Alejandro Jimenez https://youtu.be/tue7ECtTIMg

Or Master Shi Heng Yi – Five Hindrances to Self-mastery https://youtu.be/4-079YIasck

Or The Muslim on the Airplane – Amal Kassir https://youtu.be/UIAm1g_Vgn0

Click on “cc” at the bottom right of the video for assistance with closed captioning.

TEDx Talks. (2016b, December 14). The Muslim on the airplane | Amal Kassir | TEDxMileHighWomen [Video]. YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIAm1g_Vgn0Links to an external site.

Or Transgender: You’re Part of the Story – Nicole Maines https://youtu.be/bXnTAnsVfN8

After you’ve posted your response (of a minimum 15 to 20 sentences), take time to view as many of your classmates’ comments as possible. What are they saying? What are they describing? What have they learned about improving intercultural competence? Does it coincide with your perspective?