Module 3

    Module 3 discusses communication across different cultures.  When working in an organization, you will work with people that have a different background than you.  Globalization continues to grow so the need for international communication skills is high.  Diversity in the workplace comes from many sources which include: gender, race and ethnicity, social class, regional and national origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, and physical ability.
     In high-context cultures, most of the information is inferred from the context of a message.  In low-context cultures, most of the information is "spelled out."  Nonverbal communication is constantly taking place.  Examples include how long you put someone on hold, the size of an office, and body language.  Different cultures have some differences in the interpretation of body language.  Open body positions include leaning forwar with uncrossed arms and legs, with the arms away from the body.  Cloes body positions include leaning away, hands in pocket or in defensive position.  Personal space is the distance someone wants between himself or herslelf and other people in ordinary, nonintimate interchanges.  Time is another factor of communication.  Some people have a "time is money" attitude while others take a more leisury approach to business. 
     With oral communication, people have different conversational styles.  Factors that are included in a persons conversational style include rate of speech, rate of turn-taking, and persistence.  These factors may be interpreted at different levels of interest and politeness by different people.