Communication competence only comes through practice. Interpersonal communication can’t be learned from a book, completely, without applying what you have “learned” to actual conversations. You cannot claim to be an intercultural communicator if you do not communicate interculturally. So, here your assignment.
You will spend no fewer than 2 hours with a person who is linguistically, socially, culturally, religiously or politically different than you. You can choose someone from your life, someone from work, your neighborhood or religious house of worship.
Do a bit of research on their culture. Focus on 1-2 CULTURAL aspects that are different from you that might form the basis for the paper. If you use any of these facts in the paper, you need to cite those in the paper and create and attach works cited in APA or MLA.
You may choose, once you have a partner, to attend a cultural event together, share a meal, attend a worship service, play a game, go to an exhibit or just have coffee and talk. Each of you should share your unique cultural experience with the other. Be sure that you spend at least 50% of the time TALKING together. Don’t wait till Week 6 to start this!
Then, write a reflective essay of 2-3 pages in which you 1) give an overview of the time you spent with your partner, what you did, where you went, what you discussed, 2) tell me what you learned about your partner, their culture and their language, 3) tell me what you believe you taught your partner – what do you think they learned about you and your culture and language and finally 4) reflect on the assignment – what take away skills or knowledge did you take away from this assignment?
Grades will be based on the following:
Composition – was the paper well written, complete, proofread and organized?
Reflection – does the paper reflect on the principles of intercultural and interpersonal communication we discussed in class and read about in the text?
Quality of experience – is it clear that you met for at least two hours with your partner and that you were conversant with them. Did you take the assignment and requirements seriously?
Sample Solution
