Importance of Intercultural Communication

Communication is referred to transmission of the information and data from one person to another via multiple channels. The present study is related to the reflective evaluation of intercultural communication and oral communication by considering its importance in professional and personal life. Intercultural communications are related to the sharing of the information to another person who belongs to the different culture, moral and ethical values (Hua and Kramsch, 2016). This study addressed the reflective style, in which the description regarding my experience and learning with the oral and intercultural communication is stated.  Along with this, personal opinion regarding both elements and how it is useful in my life will also be evaluated. The study will discuss both the importance of oral and intercultural communication in group communication, and how they facilitate team and leader to attain their ultimate objectives.

Intercultural communication refers as the framework which assists in the communication across the distinct cultural people and community, and it also states about how communication can be affected by the culture (Martin, 2015). In the present environment, many organizations face the problem-related to communication because of the different culture, nation, backgrounds and so many other things. It provides the guidelines by which the issues related with intercultural communication can be addressed. Intercultural communication is very helpful because, it evaluates the situation where the interaction between the people belong from the different cultural exist (Koester, and Lustig, 2015). The studies related to intercultural communication requires the understanding of the intercultural standards and morals, which refers to the capability to understanding and giving the importance to the differences in culture. One of the best examples of the cultural element is the language, which is related to the intercultural understanding (Martin, and Nakayama, 2015). On and on, intercultural communication is also very important to lead a group, while facilitating the smooth flow of communication.

Intercultural communication plays a very important role in group success. It is a source of strategies based on evidence that assists in group activities while integrating discipline among various culture and group. I completed my studies from the foreign country, at that time; because of the intercultural communication skill I get understands how to share my ideas and information with other people. Apart from the language, it also assists in evaluating issues associated with social qualities, thinking patterns and ethical values of the distinct social group and communities. It did not only provide the easiness in the environment of the college, but I have also learned the various cultural aspects of the different community and rituals of the people of the other country. Earlier, before getting the admission, I was afraid and conscious of intercultural communication framework due to diversified background of people. Through making use of learning of communication, I will be able to know to know the perspective and culture of different people and same will help me in getting familiar with those, thereby facilitating better communication among all.

Challenges in Intercultural Communication

In the currently existing market, because of the globalization, there is a requirement for the business to expand its operations by involving individuals who belong to different cultures. Further, multinational companies are also looking for the employees who are flexible, skilled and capable for accepting and applying their knowledge in a different environment that will assist in the success of the business in the international market (Collier, 2015). After the completion of the college, I will apply for the job in several multinational companies. I aim to work as a marketing manager in multinational company, therefore, it requires communicating with the several branch heads and to handle groups to know the position of the market of product, so that important strategies can be implemented, by which the financial performance can be improved. For this approach, it is important to get well versed with intercultural communication.

Good intercultural communication basically requires the awareness of the intercultural aspects which is inclusive of different norms and standards of the different culture (Clarkson, 2016). Along with this, it also requires consideration that individuals are moulded but not limited by their cultural background and sometimes it is required to meet the people who very belong from a different culture (Gallois, and Giles, 2015). Further, I identify how the behavioural aspect can be impacted by intercultural communication in group activities and projects. Gradually, I recognize the values and belief of the other person, and this gets me aware of how my values and moral may clash with another.  Along with this, it is not only limited with the language, but it also covers our gestures, body language and the attitude, which leads to the positive and productive group interaction. After getting knowledge regarding intercultural communication, I will be able to apply this knowledge and understanding in the company for communication across the different culture and even languages and can practice the same in group tasks. I ask from my co-worker who is already familiar with that environment about what are the problems and issues faced by him; I will listen carefully and make the strategies how the problems can be addressed. After the implementation of the guidelines of the intercultural communication, I feel different and more confident. Now, I will be able to easily communicate with any person in the group and share the information and opinion in a proper manner. On the other hand, with no trouble, I will be able to understand their viewpoints also. It is because, active listening is important part of communication through which the clashes are reduced, which is very important for maintaining the image and position in the company. Intercultural communication is very feasible to achieve a good position in the company, and overall it helps me to achieve tremendous growth in my career.

Role of Intercultural Communication in Group Success

On the basis of the above analysis, it has been concluded that intercultural communication includes the sharing of the data or information across the different community, social group, culture, including an individual who belongs from the different ethnic, educational background, religious. It assists in understanding that how the people from different culture can be effectively and productive communicated with the intercultural communication. Culture element is very important for the business to getting the success worldwide as it makes a significant impact on how the people operated their business (Sydorenko, Daurio, and Thorne, 2018). For increasing the value and the marketability of the company it is very important to agree with the mindset of the person who knows the manner of direct the industry and understands the different opinion of the world.

Communication skills play a very important role in the academic and business success. Oral communication refers to the process of expressing or transmitting the idea, information, opinion from one individual to another individual verbally (Sautter, and Zúñiga, 2018). In the layman language, it can be said that when the person is sharing the information through their mouth, then it refers as the oral communication. It may be formal communication or informal communication. Conversation on the phone or face to face conversation is some types of the informal communication and lectures in the classroom, presentation in any meeting are some example of formal communication (Johnson, Veitch and Dewiyanti, 2015). With the advancement of the technology, the new forms of oral communication emerged such as the video conferencing, i.e. video call by which the person having long distance can see and communicate with each other. Oral communication is one of the effective means by which one can give direction or instruction to a group; it can eliminate confusions. Oral communication is highly significant to have a healthy and productive group, as it assists in setting guidelines in team dynamics that enable the group to attain the ultimate objectives.

Oral communication is very important for me as I am conscious and introvert person due to which I am not able to present myself in front of an audience in a proper way. However after learning about the oral communication guidelines I am able to manage to communicate with another person. Through the face to face conversation, I will be able to build an image and trust among the other workers. I obtain several benefits from oral communication, which are described as below –

• Oral communication is interpersonal in nature; therefore there is a high level of transparency and understanding (Olshtain, and Celce-Murcia, 2016). Whenever I orally communicate to another worker for any task, then he will easily understand what actions are required by him for completing the task.
• It is not very rigid, therefore before taking or accepting any decision I will share the information orally to another coworker and the overall group, I will listen to their ideas or views, and then I will act accordingly. It gives the flexibility, which permits the changes in the decision.
• The best benefit of oral communication, which I experienced, is the feedback. In oral communication, the feedback is instant. Whatever the information is communicated to another person, that person can provide feedback at the same time. Therefore all the decision can be taken quickly.
• Sometimes it is required by the company to go to other places for discussion with the other managers of the branch; it requires the money as well as time. Oral communication helps me to save money along with the time (Lear, Hodge, and Schulz, 2015). By the oral communication, I will be able to communicate with the long-distance person through the video call, video conference, podcasts, and voice over internet protocol and many other means, which assist in saving in the travelling cost. Further, it requires a very few time to communicate through the internet medium. Therefore it becomes very easy to communicate with different managers situated in different parts of the country as and when required.
• In leadership and group interaction, oral communication is a very important element. The main objective of the leadership is to guide the group members in a systematic manner by which the main objective of the company can be achieved. Several times, I have to act as the leader or manager in the company for delegating the task which is required to complete in the stipulated time. For this, I will always try to communicate with the team in an effective manner, by which the group energy and enthusiasm increased, and the team try to achieve the goal in the specified time.
• It is a very important technique by which the conflicts, issues, problems and differences can be minimized or ended in a group. Sometimes I have a different opinion or the view with another person at that time I always prefer to orally communicate with that person, further leads to the discussion among us and understand the viewpoint of the each other.
• Further, for sharing the private and confidential information with the group, oral communication is the good medium as it does not record any evidence.

Importance of Oral Communication

On the basis of the above analysis, it has been seen that the role of oral communication will be very significant in my job place and when it comes to group communication it can help me substantially. I will achieve so many opportunities as well as rewards in the company, and oral communication will be one of the reasons behind this success.

Conclusion

By considering the relevant aspect of the study, it has been concluded that both intercultural communication and oral communication is very important for achieving the goals and success of a group. It assists in sharing the information from another person who belongs to the different culture. The learning of intercultural communication, as well as oral communication provided in this course, will result in the excellent growth in my career, and it will assist me in eliminating my shyness and being an extrovert while handling the group in an enthusiastic manner.

References

Clarkson, M.D., 2016, October. Communication training for scientists and engineers: A framework for highlighting principles common to written, oral, and visual communication. In Professional Communication Conference (IPCC), 2016 IEEE International (pp. 1-8). IEEE.

Collier, M.J., 2015. Intercultural communication competence: Continuing challenges and critical directions. International journal of intercultural relations, 48, pp.9-11.

Gallois, C. and Giles, H., 2015. Communication accommodation theory. The international encyclopedia of language and social interaction, pp.1-18.

Hua, Z. and Kramsch, C., 2016. Symbolic power and conversational inequality in intercultural communication: An Introduction. Applied Linguistics Review, 7(4), pp.375-383.

Johnson, S., Veitch, S. and Dewiyanti, S., 2015. A framework to embed communication skills across the curriculum: A design-based research approach. Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice, 12(4), p.6.

Koester, J. and Lustig, M.W., 2015. Intercultural communication competence: Theory, measurement, and application. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 48, pp.20-21.

Lear, J.L., Hodge, K.A. and Schulz, S.A., 2015. Talk to me!! Effective, efficient communication. The Journal of Research in Business Education, 57(1), p.64.

Martin, J.N. and Nakayama, T.K., 2015. Reconsidering intercultural (communication) competence in the workplace: A dialectical approach. Language and Intercultural Communication, 15(1), pp.13-28.

Martin, J.N., 2015. Revisiting intercultural communication competence: Where to go from here. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 48, pp.6-8.

Olshtain, E. and Celce-Murcia, M., 2016. Teaching Language Skills from a Discourse Perspective. Handbook of Research in Second Language Teaching and Learning, 3, p.144.

Sautter, E.P. and Zúñiga, M.A., 2018. The video cover letter: embedded assessment of oral communication skills. Quality Assurance in Education, 26(4), pp.423-429.

Sydorenko, T., Daurio, P. and L. Thorne, S., 2018. Refining pragmatically-appropriate oral communication via computer-simulated conversations. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 31(1-2), pp.157-180.