Intercultural Communication EAP Activities, Worksheets and Role-Plays
In this useful intercultural communication worksheet, students learn about direct and indirect communication styles and the importance of understanding cultural differences. First, in pairs, students discuss questions related to intercultural communication. Students then match terms from a text they are going to read to definitions. Next, students read the text and compare the information presented to their responses in the first exercise. After that, students answer questions about intercultural communication and then discuss their answers with a partner. Students then read a text about communication styles and answer comprehension questions. Finally, students reflect on the ideas from the text and write a paragraph that explains how they can use their knowledge of direct and indirect communication styles to improve their intercultural interactions in a specific context of their life.
This intriguing intercultural communication role-play helps students identify direct and indirect communication styles across cultures and reflect and adapt their own style to prevent misunderstandings and resolve conflicts in multicultural settings. Students are divided into multicultural teams, with each member taking on a specific role: direct communicator, indirect communicator, mediator, or observer. Teams then engage in a 15-minute discussion aimed at resolving a conflict, during which the direct and indirect communicators exchange perspectives while the mediator facilitates mutual understanding and guides the group toward a solution. Throughout this process, the observer carefully monitors the interaction, taking notes on communication patterns and any misunderstandings that arise. Afterwards, the observers present their insights and provide feedback on how effectively their groups navigated cultural differences. Each group then gives feedback on their communication approaches and share how they achieved their resolution. Finally, students discuss questions related to communication styles as a class.
