what have you learned in this course to increase your cultural awareness?

You are off to a solid start, but there is so much more involved in cultural awareness than you may realize. Language, norms, traditions and symbols — both tangible and intangible — are all part and parcel of what we call culture, and it’s crucial that you develop a baseline understanding of cultural elements outside of your own.

Full Answer

What is cultural awareness and why does it matter?

In today’s globalized world, cultivating cultural awareness should be a company-wide priority. It affects how teams collaborate and interact, and makes for a more inclusive, productive environment, which has been validated through research in the fields of business, psychology, and sociology. But, What Do We Mean by “Culture?”

How can we improve our cultural awareness?

3 Ways to Improve your Cultural Awareness. 1 1. Learn From Others. One way I believe we can increase awareness is to have a better understanding of each other’s experiences. We live and work in a ... 2 2. Understand History. 3 3. Visit Cultural Institutions.

How can teachers foster cultural awareness in the classroom?

Teachers who are interested in fostering a cultural awareness in their classroom should actively demonstrate to their students that they genuinely care about their cultural, emotional, and intellectual needs. To this end, there are several strategies that you can use to build trusting relationships with diverse students.

How can you promote cultural literacy and awareness in the workplace?

It’ll also address topics such as communication, business etiquette, negotiation skills, and marketing skills. You can also sign up for DeakinCo.’s Global Citizenship credential, which shows you how to promote cultural literacy and awareness in the workplace. 2. Bridge the culture gap with good communication skills

How can you increase your cultural awareness?

Use these tips from the American Psychological Association to be more culturally aware:Think beyond race and ethnicity. A person's culture is shaped by more than the color of their skin or the way that they dress. ... Learn by asking. ... Make local connections. ... Pay attention to non-verbal behaviors. ... Exchange stories.

Why is it important to increase cultural awareness?

Cultural awareness helps us break down cultural barriers, build cultural bridges, and learn how to love, and appreciate those different from us. We can relate better to people with cultural differences as we begin to understand ourselves better. This results in more cultural connection and less cultural conflict.

What is your idea about cultural awareness?

Simply put, cultural awareness is about understanding that our cultures impact and shape how we see the world; that differences are natural and that when we work with people from other cultures, we need to be aware of where, when, how and when our cultures may either help or hinder us in terms of communication and ...

How can college students improve cultural awareness?

How Can You Improve Cultural Competency?Offer cultural organizations and clubs for students.Provide faculty members with resources and training for diverse classrooms.Engage culturally diverse students, faculty and staff to provide feedback on diversity and inclusion tactics.More items...•

What is cultural awareness essay?

Cultural awareness is defined as the ability to recognize the different beliefs, values, and customs that someone has based on that person's origin. Being culturally aware allows a person to build successful and professional relationships in a diverse environment.

What is an example of cultural awareness?

People from different cultural backgrounds often have different styles of verbal and physical communication. For example, in some cultures, greetings are shown with a bow instead of a handshake. In other cultures, direct eye contact is deemed impolite, whereas in some places it's a sign of honesty and trust.

Why is it important to learn about your students cultures?

The more you learn about where your students come from, the easier your job will become. This includes learning more about their language, culture, values, family, and home environment. This knowledge will help you to better support your students in the classroom and to receive more support from home.

What skills and knowledge do you need to improve in to become a multi culturally literate person?

Skills of a multicultural mentorSensitivity to one's own and other cultures.Cultural awareness and curiosity.Cultural empathy.Multilingual skills.Contextual understanding and sensitivity.Semantic awareness.Ability to switch among cultural frames of reference and communication mode.

Why cultural education is important?

Culture teaches values, beliefs and traditions. It influences the social interaction with parents, siblings, peers and teachers. It influences their language and communication.

3 Ways to Improve your Cultural Awareness

Cory J. Anderson writes about practical ways to think about and implement equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. He has always lived in a multicultural environment which he credits as his inspiration to bring diverse groups of people together.

1. Learn From Others

One way I believe we can increase awareness is to have a better understanding of each other’s experiences. We live and work in a multicultural world that is rich in customs, culture, and diversity. Hopefully, as I do, you have friends and coworkers who come from various backgrounds.

2. Understand History

Another aspect of awareness is having accurate historical context. Understanding how things came to be can be done by reading the history of other racial groups or your community. When I first arrived in Baltimore, I often wondered why the city seemed to change block by block.

3. Visit Cultural Institutions

Lastly, visiting cultural institutions in your community is a great resource to have a greater awareness of the rich culture of others. For the past few years during MLK Day a white friend of mine and I have picked a museum to visit. The first year was the Blacks in Wax Museum, and another year we went to the Reginald F.

1. Get training for global citizenship

First, you should build the cultural knowledge of your employees. You can hold training classes to teach them about different cultural practices. These classes should be framed in a way that allow your employees to learn how to deal with working in an increasingly diverse global economy and society.

2. Bridge the culture gap with good communication skills

Good communication skills are important when dealing with different cultures. How you communicate to others, both verbally and non-verbally, can be a deal maker or deal breaker.

3. Practice good manners

Wherever you are in the world, it’s always good to have manners. In some countries, saying “please” and “thank you” is an important and crucial part of business conversation. It shows you’re polite, respectful, and caring, and this will be sure to open doors for you and your business. Plus, informality can be inappropriate in some countries.

4. Celebrate traditional holidays, festivals, and food

Celebrating diversity can help increase cultural literacy, awareness, and acceptance. Start by including the holidays and festivals of other cultures in your company email or news bulletin, and then celebrate them at work when appropriate. This will show your employees that you recognise and accept their cultures.

5. Observe and listen to foreign customers and colleagues

Another way to help your employees become more culturally aware is to tell them to observe and listen to foreign customers and colleagues. If they’re in a foreign country, they should look at how those around them conduct themselves and their business, and then follow suit. And if they listen more than they talk, they’ll learn more quickly.

6. Pay attention to differences in culture

You can also help your employees be more culturally sensitive by telling them to pay attention to differences in a foreign customer’s culture. This way they won’t bother them on national or religious holidays, and they’ll know not to bring up or discuss politics or religion if it might get them into trouble.

7. Be aware of different time zones

When contacting foreign customers and meeting deadlines, tell your employees to be aware of the different time zones. This includes keeping note of business hours and lunch hours where the customer is located. By paying attention to time zones, they can avoid contacting a customer when they’re finished working or, worse, when they’re asleep.

Can you give positive answers to these questions?

Global companies will want to see that you are open to new ideas and cultures.

What makes you able to work well in global markets?

Languages can be a great asset when you want to work globally but they are only one piece of a complex jigsaw. Networking at university with students from different nationalities can help to give you a better understanding of what is important in their countries.

How have you been preparing yourself for the global mind set?

Here at Warwick you are in a global environment already. One in three students is classified as “international”. Statistics will be similar in many other universities. You’ve probably mixed with people from different cultures, faiths and even picked up the odd words of another language.

So how are you going to prepare to answer the interview questions?

Employers use a range of different terms when they explore whether you are going to be a good fit for their international businesses. They might talk about ‘global mind set’ or “intercultural sensitivity”. The terms are inter-changeable.

Tips to help you develop cultural awareness

Don’t assume anything! Enjoy difference – we all are very different even within our own nation, region and street! Check if you are not sure of the appropriate behaviour in any given situation– no one will be offended and it may stop you causing offence.

The cultural awareness journey

Too much emphasis has been placed on developing cultural awareness that the key driver has been neglected: our cultural identity. After all, how are we supposed to understand other cultures if we do not know ourselves?

The importance of cultural sensitivity and awareness

When we learn a foreign language, it gives us access to a different society and culture. This is good since language is the main mode of communication amongst people. Cultural awareness makes communicating with different people easier and more stress-free.

How can we become more culturally aware?

Cross-cultural communication is one of the ways that lead to misunderstanding, on both sides. We can all do a better job at communicating when we consider culture when working alongside and interacting with others.

Conclusion

Context and culture are very important aspects of effective communication. This is why, in addition to correct grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary, it is also important to comprehend the cultural implications in a society when learning their language.

1. Ask People

Perhaps the simplest way to raise your cultural awareness is to ask people.

2. Do Your Research

There are literally thousands of books and millions of web pages with rich information about cultural awareness.

3. Watch some TV

A fun, and slightly more relaxing way, of becoming culturally aware is to watch TV shows!

4. Take a Course

If you are serious about becoming more culturally aware, then why not take a course?

5. Reflect & Think

Becoming culturally aware also depends on understanding your own self.

Learn more about Culture

Have a look at our resources for more information on cultural awareness.

What is culturally responsive curriculum?

A culturally responsive curriculum is both inclusive in that it ensures that all students are included within all aspects of the school and it acknowledges the unique differences students may possess.

What is the task of analyzing and celebrating differences in traditions, beliefs, and social behaviors?

It is of note that this task helps European-American students realize that their beliefs and traditions constitute a culture as well, which is a necessary breakthrough in the development of a truly culturally responsive classroom.

Why do students in an authoritarian classroom have negative behaviors?

Students in an authoritarian classroom may sometimes display negative behaviors as a result of a perceived sense of social injustice ; in the culturally diverse classroom, the teacher thus acts more like a facilitator than an instructor.

What is multicultural society?

A multicultural society is best served by a culturally responsive curriculum. Schools that acknowledge the diversity of their student population understand the importance of promoting cultural awareness.

How to build trust with diverse students?

To incorporate cultural awareness into your classroom curriculum, you should: 1. Express interest in the ethnic background of your students. Encourage your students to research and share information about their ethnic background as ...

Is culturally responsive instruction a student centered philosophy?

Given that culturally responsive instruction is a student-centered philosophy, it should come as no surprise that expectations for achievement are determined and assigned individually for each student. Students don’t receive lavish praise for simple tasks but do receive praise in proportion to their accomplishments.