Communicating with Different Groups & Cultures Week 3 6165

           I have on several occasions communicated differently with people from different groups and cultures.  I have found that I have had to listen more effectively when I am interacting with people from different groups and cultures.  When I am communicating with people from my ethnic background I tend to not listen because I can understand our language, but when I am communicating with people from another culture I not only have to listen, but I sometimes have to read their lips in order to make out what they are trying to say.  Another instance of me having to communicate differently from people from different groups and cultures is when I am calling a 1-800 number for assistance with my cable or telephone service.  It is sometimes really hard to understand the words spoken from people of different cultures.  I have had to speak a bit louder at times and I have also have had to ask the person assisting me to slow down as they spoke so that I could understand their language. 

            I have even found myself using my hands and body language in the place of using verbal communication.  I have also communicated differently with people from different groups and cultures who share a different belief than I do.  Some people are Atheist and I am a Christian.

When I communicate with them I try not to discuss religion in respect that their belief is different from mine. 

 

             The first strategy that can help me to become a more effective communicator when I am dealing with people from different groups or cultures is to develop better listening skills.  Also I must be able to pick up silent messages sent with or without words from people of different groups or cultures (Gonzalez-Mena, 2010 ).  I must be able to expand my ability to pick up silent messages in ways that they are intended (Gonzalez-Mena, 2010).  The second strategy that I can use to assist me in becoming a more effective communicator is to learn more about nonverbal behaviors when dealing with people from different cultures.  The final strategy that I can use to assist me in becoming a more effective communicator when dealing with people of different groups or cultures is to practice not to judge people from other cultures long enough to gain a deeper understanding that first impressions allow us to (Gonzalez-Mena, 2010).  As educators we all must be willing to accept differences in people who are different than we are.  Our children model after us.  So if they see that we are doing everything we can to help others they will do the same.

                                                                           Reference

Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2010). Looking at nonverbal communication across cultures. River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.