The Application of Cross - Cultural Communication in Chinese Course Design

Abstract

Cross-cultural communication is exchanging the way of thinking and feeling between individuals and groups from different backgrounds and cultures. Good Interpersonal communication skills and great knowledge of other cultures would raise both efficiency and effectiveness in work and daily life, especially Chinese, the second most popular language in Thailand. Even though many people are interested in Chinese, the problems of teaching and learning methods are difficult to overcome in various ways. Whether textbooks are not capable enough or the ways of teaching do not meet the students’ expectations, including the ignorant characters or narrow attitudes of the learners themselves could also become serious obstacles. The findings indicate that the communication elements consist of 4 things: fluency of speech, propriety, accuracy and variety of speeches. Additionally, the essential thing of designing a Chinese course effectively in any skills such as listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation. At the beginning, the learners should give priority to listening skill which is the most relevant way of communication in everyday life. Moreover, both teachers and students can learn to understand how people who belong to different cultures communicate with each other such as body language. Body language is something that should not be neglected in cross-cultural communication because it is the easiest way to communicate without any consideration of the language barrier problems.