USEFUL TIPS FOR COMMUNICATING ACROSS CULTURES

The following tips are a starting point for
cross-cultural communication at UTAS. Some
of the many useful websites providing
variations and more detail are listed in the
resources section of this fact sheet. Feel free
to contact a CALD Support Officer if you have
a particular issue.
• Be complete, explicit and pay attention to
the other person’s response.
• Be alert for different meanings.
• Avoid metaphors, colloquialisms and
jargon. Define any jargon that you must
use.
• Attempt to be clear while avoiding the
over-simplification of terms as it may
seem insulting.
• If a word or concept is not understood,
re-word your thoughts. Do not repeat it or
increase your volume as if the listener
has a hearing problem.
• Paraphrase and seek verification of
understanding. Ask the listener to confirm
information or directions in their own
words.
• Acknowledge cultural differences without
bias and be persistent. When you have
difficulty, talk about it together.
• Be sensitive to cultural stands on social
issues like gender roles and drug use.
• Do not ask questions that you would not
or could not answer yourself.
• Research the cultural background of the
person, if possible.
• Withhold judgment and set your
assumptions aside. Study and evaluate
cultural generalisations. Understand that
even valid generalisations must be
carefully considered when applied to
individuals.
• Always provide a why. Cultural patterns
or rules may seem arbitrary if
unexplained. If a student is
uncomfortable with a decision or
situation, explaining why is important,
particularly if the issue is non-negotiable.
• Take the risk! Always remember that you
will make mistakes as you learn.