Around the World: Language, Cross Cultural and Communication Skills in the News

12.12.2011

Japanese ambassador tastes American education in visit to St. Paul's. Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki visited a Japanese class in three American schools in Brooklandville where he highlighted the importance of learning languages. Baltimore Sun

01.12.2011

Why the anglo-dinosaur hunt? Now it's trendy to 'out' them. Even if they are being harshly criticised, unilingual English-speakers are hard to find in Montreal. Montreal Gazette

27.11.2011

Académie Française challenged to update language with fresh bons mots. “Attachiant” is the French neologism of the year suggested at XYZ Festival of Words. Whether it will be added to the French language or not is in the hands of Académie Française’s conservative members. The Guardian

14.11.2011

Second languages, second chances. A third-generation Chinese-Singaporean writes about the concepts of mother tongue language and the language of the mother country in light of his own experience. Columbia Spectator

10.10.2011

Hearing Bilingual: How Babies Sort Out Language. Scientific studies have shown that the neurologic activity of babies’ brains is affected and shaped by the languages they learn. The New York Times

06.11.2011

Spanish sí, Latin non. Spanish has been the most taught language in the US since 1950 but fewer and fewer Americans learn foreign languages Asbury Park Press

06.11.2011

What’s the language of the future? A broad overview of the hegemony of the English language across the world and its history. Salon

07.11.2011

Filipinos off to learn more than just English. The Board of Investments and IBM Philippines want to set up a training facility in order to teach foreign languages to Filipino workers as there is increasing demand for business outsourcing workers speaking European and Asian languages. Inquirer Business

08.11.2011

Irish students lost in translation. Foreign language skills of Irish students are very poor as learning a foreign language is not compulsory in their education. This represents a huge weak point for the Irish economy. Irish Times

14.11.2011

Alarm as schools axe foreign language aides. Scottish schools have faced an 80% drop in language assistants in the past six years. This could hinder foreign investment in the future if Scottish children only speak English. Scotsman

14.11.2011

Government grant for BBC World Service Trust. After announcing in January it will close five of its 32 language services due to government budget cuts, the influential World Service of the BBC will actually benefit from a five year grant. BBC

15.11.2011

Fight for Nyoongar language. The Nyoongar language, spoken in Western Australia, risks becoming extinct as only a handful of fluent speakers remain who are fighting to preserve it.  InMyCommunity

04.10.2011

When will we get some fluent policy on modern languages? Interesting reactions to Gove’s suggestion that children should start learning English from age five. The Guardian

04.10.2011

Embassy introduces Maltese language to children in Berlin. To celebrate the 10th European Day of Languages, the Embassy of Malta presented Maltese Language to school-children in Berlin. DI-VE

04.10.2011

Time to say 'hasta la vista' to only knowing one language. Bilingual services in Spain are expanding, especially in the capital Madrid, to the great pleasure of expats but also Spaniards. The Telegraph

30.09.2011

Michael Gove proposes teaching foreign languages from age five. Education secretary put the learning of a foreign language for children aged five forward. The Guardian

28.09.2011

Op/Ed: Give Foreign Languages Another Chance. Lexington residents argue in favor of teaching foreign languages in elementary schools. Lexington.patch

27.09.2011

Adopting a unified language would cause a stir in the melting pot. A columnist reacts to the Republican presidential candidate’s proposition to set English as the official language in the US. Dailyillini

09.02.11

Foreign Language Deficit 'Damaging'. The British Academy is concerned about the decrease in pupils taking foreign language courses in the UK . The lack of language skills can harm the country's cultural, social and economic well-being and makes finding a job more difficult. Press Association

07.02.11

£700,000 Boost for Bilingualism. The Welsh minister of education will provide £700,000 to encourage bilingual learners to continue their studies and further develop their language skills.
Walesonline.co.uk

01.02.11

Equipping Pupils with Skills for Employment.  The Olympics skills programme initiative aims to make children aware of the importance of communication skills in the workplace.  Through workshops designed to help them to improve their communication skills, pupils, teachers and professionals were able to debate and learn more about the skills employers are looking for. Nebusiness.co.uk

New JKO Program Promotes Afghanistan Language, Cultural Awareness.  The US Joint Forces Command recently presented a new online training tool aimed at developing soldiers’ knowledge of Afghan culture.  The objective is to help US forces to create better relationships with the locals and ease peace keeping operations. Jfcom.mil

31.01.11

Blackburn Linguist Says Modern Languages are Important.  According to the head of the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, language skills are paramount to finding a job.  Renowned companies like BAE systems seek to recruit employees mastering several languages and this trend will continue in the future.  The Lancashire Telegraph

Got Skills? A College Diploma isn’t Everything to Employers. Having a diploma is sometimes not enough to get your dream job.  In order to become more employable young graduates need to develop and improve key elements such as communication skills.  Daily Sundial

30.01.11

Knox College International Fair Promotes 'Culture Shock'.  The Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, has organised its traditional international fair.  This year’s theme was ‘culture shock’ and included debates, cooking and dance festival.  Galesburg.com

Cultural Insensitivity- no Laughing Matter.  The BBC had to address official apologies to the family of Tsutomu Yamaguchi, survivor of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.  Guests of the show “IQ” made jokes about Yamaguchi’s fate which hurt the feelings of many Japanese spectators.  The Japan Times

27.01.11

Communication is Key to Ryder Cup Success.  According to Golf player José María Olazabal, communication is one of the key elements necessary to win in major sport events.  He commented on Europe’s poor performance in 2008 and blamed the former European captain Nick Faldo for his lack of communication skills.  The Daily Record

A lot to be Learned Abroad, Professors Say.  Dr. Godlove Fonjweng, director of global education at Wilkes University, Pennsylvania encourages students to go and study abroad.  According to him they will be able to develop invaluable global skills and become more attractive to their future employers. Standardspeaker.com

25.01.11

Obama is America's Third Greatest Presidential Orator in Modern Era. . According to the Huffington Post, Barrack Obama is the 3rd greatest presidential orator since 1933, just behind Kennedy and Roosevelt. He achieved this performance thanks to his remarkable speech and communication skills.   The Huffington Post

25.01.11

Success through Diversity. Managing and leading international teams come with many challenges. Enabling effective team work and helping employees to thrive in a multicultural environment requires specific skills and an extensive cultural awareness knowledge.   Onrec.com

25.01.11

Multilingual Federer's Extra Workload. Tennis player Roger Federer is renowned for his ability to speak several languages. He admits this ability costs him time but he also thinks it is a fantastic opportunity to get to know different people.   Hindustan Times

24.01.11

Anthropologist Examines Friendship across Cultures . Anthropologist have conducted research about how different cultures perceive and develop across cultures.   Arizona State University

22.01.11

Japan Needs New Paradigm of English Education. In an interview with the Asashi Shimbun, Kumiko Torikai professor at the Rikkyo University explains that Japan needs to design a new and more effective way to teach English to young students in order to remain competitive in the global market.   The Asashi Shimbun

22.01.11

Foreign Language Skills Provide Edge in the Job Market. According to many experts, bilingual job seekers can expect to have a real competitive edge when looking for a job.   The International Business Times

21.01.11

Beijing Helps US Students Learn Chinese. The "Confucius Classroom" programme partly funded by the Chinese government, aims to help US student to learn Chinese. This initiative enjoys the full support of the local representatives who describe it as a great opportunity as China will play an even bigger role in tomorrow's world economy.   Voanews.com

20.01.11

Business English Speakers Can Still Be Divided by a Common Language. Business students wishing to work abroad need to have a perfect command of English says Thomas Cossé, Professor of Marketing and Business at the University of Richmond, Virginia. But it is equally important to be understood and avoid jargon and acronyms which create misunderstandings.   Voanews.com

20.01.11

Linguistic Misunderstandings Hinder Cross-cultural Relations. Failure to translate a foreign language can create cultural incidents and misunderstandings. The case occurred during the Hu Jintao visit to the US.   The Global Times

19.01.11

Michelle Obama Urges Students To Study Abroad in China. The First Lady strongly advises US students to study in China. According to Michele Obama, this will create a better understanding between the two countries and impact their future relationship.   The Washington Post

19.01.11

Romanian Women Leading a Cross-cultural Team: What are the Challenges? The Romania Business Insider continues its analysis of the challenges and benefits of doing business in Romania. This article analyses the leadership style of Romanian women and the possible challenges for foreigners.   Romania Business Insider

29.11.10

Why are non-English Language Programmes Still Foreign to British TV? UK television channels do not broadcast many foreign TV shows.  This lack of diversity can harm the development of foreign language skills in the UK.  The Guardian

24.11.10

Pupils to Learn a Language in GCSE Shake-up. The new GCSE reform will make language classes compulsory for students in secondary school.  This measure aims to stop the rapid decline in foreign languages witnessed during the last few years.  The Telegraph

18.11.10

More Troops Need African Language Skills.  The Pentagon announced that it will provide more foreign language training to soldiers sent on peace or anti-terrorists operations in Africa. The Washington Post

17.11.10

Lincoln Prison Handbook's 'Execution' Error Spotted.  The Lincolnshire prisons foreign information booklets were badly translated, says the BBC.  The exercise yard was labeled as the “execution yard”, this faux pas was described as “not funny at all” by Nick Hardwick, the Chief Inspector of Prisons.  The BBC

17.11.10

Can we Learn to Love French Pop Music?  Music is an excellent method to learn a new language.  The launching of a new French radio station in London can help Londoners to improve their French.  The BBC

13.11.10

UK Government Cuts Undermining Language Education.  The English Trust for European Education, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the promotion of language training fears that the cut in the education budget will damage the training of new language teachers and trainers.
I-newswire.com

11.11.10

€8m Budget for Goethe-Institut’s Language Training Initiative.  The German Bundestag has allocated eight million Euros to promote and teach the German language abroad.   This initiative underlines the will of the German government to emphasise the teaching of language around the world. Isria

26.10.10

Study Reveals Common Gaffes When Using a Foreign Language.  A lack of language skills can lead to misunderstandings and faux pas.  They remain acceptable in informal situations but they can seriously harm business opportunities.  The Telegraph

22.10.11

To Dub or Not to Dub?  The Czech Education Ministry asked TV channels to broadcast more programmes with subtitles.  Studies show that viewers who watch subtitled English programmes are more proficient in English than people watching dubbed programmes.  The Prague Post

13.10.10

Brussels Urges Universities to Offer Translation Courses.  The European Commission officially urged universities to offer more translation and interpreting courses.  The European institutions fear a gap in the renewal of skilled and reliable interpreters.  This situation underlines the importance of language skills in an international context. Euractiv.com

10.09.10

Language Learning ‘Adds to the Enjoyment of a Gap Year’. Only one in ten UK tourists tries to learn the foreign language before they travel abroad. However, learning the basics of any foreign language will help you get by and make friends.  I-to-i.com

Top

English Language Training

07.11.2011

View English as a vital second language. This article points out the importance of mastering English in Malaysia.  The Star

15.11.2011

Disgust: How did the word change so completely? This article explains how the meaning of the word ‘disgust’ has been changing throughout the years. BBC

4.10.2011

Foreign GPs will be required to take English language test. English language skills of all new foreign doctors will be evaluated before they are hired by the National Health Service. BBC

01.09.2011

Should American kids learn Chinese? As the American and Chinese economies become increasingly linked, should Chinese be taught in US schools? Business Week

31.08.2011

Cambridge English test is now recognised by the UK and Australia. People applying for a visa in these countries can take this test to determine their English language level. Work Permit

23.08.2011

English centre helps immigrants to learn English. In San Francisco, immigrants can benefit from free English training which can help them to find a job or get into college. San Francisco Chronicle

25.08.2011

German and French languages plunged into English schools. The number of British students learning foreign languages has dropped dramatically.  The Telegraph

25.08.2011)

Is computer programming a new foreign language? Computer programming language can appear as complex as a foreign language, and requires many of the same skills to learn it effectively. Wild Cat

22.08.2011

The benefits of learning a foreign language online.  Being able to speak other languages is becoming an increasingly essential skill.  Many suggest e-learning as an efficient and low-cost way of improving language skills. The Financial Express

12.08.2011

Learning a language is like dancing salsa. Studies have discovered a link between Latin dance tunes and how the brain learns languages. NBC

11.08.2011

English in on the rise in Russia. An increasing number of people are interested in learning English, especially in modern cities like Moscow. Russia and India Report

11.08.2011

Free Arabic class for expats in Dubai. Arabic remains a foreign language to most expats because English is widely used.  Local institutes are increasingly offering free Arabic courses for expats to help them understand and use the local language.  Gulf News

11.08.2011

Indians are better in English than people from England. Indian native speakers excel in the TOEFL exam and often have better results than native English speakers. Silicon India

07.08.2011

Being bilingual can increase your IQ. Different studies confirm that bilingualism allows people to develop new abilities and new skills. The Daily Beast

01.08.11

The art of effective business writing. Effective English business writing can be a real challenge but some rules can help. The Financial Express

01.08.11

Comic relief in English language classrooms? Adapting literary works to a more humorous format could make English language classes more effective. Express India

24.07.11

The list of English words with Arabic origins is growing.  There is growing controversy about hundreds of English words which some say are of Arabic origin, while others say they are of English origin but sound Arabic. Deccan Herald

23.07.11

Adults may be better at learning languages than children. The common thought that adults are less likely to learn languages as efficiently as children may be wrong. Io9

02.03.11

English Big Business, and Growing.  The Japanese government has recently decided to make English courses compulsory at elementary schools. This decision is a great opportunity for public and private organisations alike as new content will need to be created for the young students. The Japan Times

27.02.11

Edge to India in Economic Warfare.  According to the Daily Record, India has some several advantages that will help the country to “win” its competition with China.  One of these assets is the English fluency displayed by Indian workers as it helps the country to be more successful internationally.  The Daily Records

02.03.11

British Council Launches English Vocabulary App for Facebook .  “Pic-Your-Wits” is an application developed by the British Council and available to Facebook users to develop their English language skills. PRNews.com

21.02.11

English-Only Exams for EU? Non!  The UK administration unsuccessfully asked the European commission to change the examination methods for aspiring European Civil Servant.  The fact that this exam is conducted in two languages was playing against British aspirants who have difficulties mastering another language. The Wall Street Journal

18.02.11

Being Bilingual May Delay Alzheimer’s and Boost Brain Power.  According to research conducted by Ellen Bialystok, a psychologist at York University in Toronto, being bilingual can help to delay Alzheimer’s disease as switching language develops brain activity.  The Guardian

14.02.11

English Becomes a Must at Schools.  Slovakia has decided to make English language courses compulsory at school.  This decision will help Slovakian students improve their level of English.  The British Council has offered its help to train future Slovakian teachers.  The Slovak Spectator  

13.02.11

29.03.11

Fabio Capello: a Man of few (English) Words.  England football team coach Fabio Capello caused controversy by claiming he was able to manage the England football team by using only 100 words. The First Post

28.03.11

Makes No Sense to Close Door on Opportunities for Language Students.  According to The Herald Scotland, developing language skills is an excellent way to find jobs and positions. The newspaper takes the example of students learning Russian who have found positions abroad. The Herald Scotland  

23.03.11

Language Skills Vital in an Asia-led World.  Teaching Asian languages such as Chinese or Korean is a vital asset says Ben Jensen, director of an Australian language school.  According to him, being able to speak an Asian language will give a competitive advantage to children.  Theaustralian.com

19.03.11

Moscow Plays Host to Russian Language Contest.  Russia hosted the first ever Russian Language Contest in March 2011.  This event saw several contests involving 300 young students and their parents.  The Voice of Russia

15.01.11

Russia Requires More Fluent Bureaucrats.  After several gaffes and misuses of foreign languages from Russian diplomats and scientists, the Russian government has decided to develop a plan to enhance the language skills of its population.  Upi.com

14.01.11

Uncle Sam's Covert Cousin Wants You.  The CIA is now actively looking for new spies and operatives with proficient foreign language skills. The Washington Post

11.01.11

Sudan Needs English to Build Bridges Between North and South.  Sudan has decided to split into two new countries, population can still use a common language - English – to bridge the differences and start a new diplomatic relationship and continue the peace process.  The Guardian

11.01.11

Languages Weak in too Many Secondary Schools.  Whilst many pupil enjoy taking foreign language courses at school, a report confirm the decrease of students taking languages at GSCE level. The BBC

10.01.11

UK Seeks to Raise Language Entry Levels.  The British government is considering raising the minimum English level requirements for foreign students coming to the UK. The aim is to reduce the number of students visas issued each year.  The Guardian

10.01.11

Chinese to Start in Kindergarten.  Children entering kindergartens located in Schaumburg, Illinois will have the opportunity to learn Mandarin Chinese.  According to Julie Colgrove, District Director of language and culture, young children benefit immensely from this type of language course.  Triblocal.com

10.01.11

Looking for a Job? Mind your Language.  Young Chinese graduates are now seeking to develop their English language skills, consequently English tests such as TOEIC are becoming more and more popular. Peopledaily.com

03.01.11

Language Training Stands up in Europe.  European armies have decided to provide language training to their troops.  This training delivers several benefits such as better cooperation of the military across the continent and facilitates missions of soldiers sent to theatre.  Military.com 

19.10.10

My accent is frightful, but it could have been worse.  Most people’s accent and pronunciation are widely influenced by their environment and the kind of TV programmes they watch.  This telegraph articles gives us some of the most comical or annoying examples. The Telegraph.co.uk

19.10.10

English for Dummies.  The English language in Australia is different from the English language spoken in the UK. A British expat living in Australia for the last 10 years tells us about his language experience. The Age.com

14.10.10

French Pop Music Finds its Voice with English Language Lyrics.  With the rise of the internet, French musicians have chosen the English language for their lyrics to have more chance of being internationally known. This increased confidence in bands choosing to sing in English breeds more confidence as it spills over into classrooms. The Guardian

13.10.10

Former Premier Learned to Read English Through Comic Books.  Former Canadian premier, Bill Vander Zalm, found the solution for people who don’t like reading. Reading English-language comic books helped him to learn English and to make friends when he left Holland for Canada.  The Vancouver Sun

12.09.10

The Culture of Speech.  “Does our mother tongue influence the way we think?” This article is about, Guy Deutscher, an Israeli-born linguist based in Oxford, England, who proposes three relatively minor examples of how language affects thought.  Boston.com

11.09.10

Learning English Requires Motivation.  Changing from speaking another language to English is not easy and requires effort and motivation. Read this story of  an expat and his experience of learning a new language. Yumasun.com

09.09.10

Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Launching Ceremony of the Oxford Chinese Dictionary. Learning English is important in China and it is believed that the publication of this dictionary will contribute to improving China-UK cultural exchanges. FMPRC

08.09.10

Singapore Launches Speak Good English Movement 2010.  English is used in Singapore even if it is not the national language.  So, why are they speaking English? Read this article about those people who have chosen to speak the language of science and technology. Govmonitor.com

06.09.10

An Elite French University Creates an English-Language Campus.  The opening of the Sciences Po Reims campus, marks the first time that a French higher-education institution has created a campus specifically where all delivery will be in English. Chronicles.com

02.09.10

Why Learn English as a Second Language.  There are a number of reasons why you  would want to learn English -  each reason is individual, and will provide countless benefits in future communications. Literacynews.com

30.08.10

Latest Victim of the Internet: The Oxford English Dictionary.  The Oxford English Dictionary third version will probably go online only. The Internet is on a physical-media-killing rampage. Fastcompany.com

30.08.10

Next Oxford English Dictionary May Go All-Digital.  The publisher of the complete Oxford English Dictionary says the OED may be the next printed work to give up on paper and go completely digital. Pcworld.com

Top

Cross Cultural Awareness Training

13.12.2011

More foreign students head for China. More and more foreign students are willing to go to China in order to find a job there. China Daily

12.12.2011

Singapore becoming 'less attractive' for expats. Singapore, one of the most expensive cities for expats to live in, might suffer a setback as the government took two measures that could dissuade expats from settling in Singapore. The Telegraph

13.12.2011

An Italian's view on British winter clothes. Many aspects point out the very different attitude to health of British and Italian winter clothes, pharmacies, etc. BBC News

12.12.2011

Christmas dinner around the world. Leaf bread, salted cod, roast goose and gingerbread: check out these pictures of Christmas dinner from around the world. The Telegraph

07.12.2011

Expat Explorer Interactive. HSBC has published its annual global study on expats. Check out the interactive guide and find out the results! HSBC

24.11.2011

Turkish coffee house talk could teach the world a thing or two. A Turkish coffee house has recently opened in Central London. In contrast with American global coffee chains, Turkish coffee houses are good locations to discuss about culture and politics and to experience the sense of community. The Guardian

23.11.2011

Why are so many Britons leaving Australia? More and more Britons are leaving Australia and returning to the UK. A few reasons for this are the huge distance from family and friends and the lack of culture, history and real sense of belonging. BBC

13.10.2011

France to Allow Work Visas for More Graduates. After criticism from students and universities, the strict work-visa policy recently implemented will be softened. The New York Times

30.09.2011

How does the French attitude to lunch compare to others? A comparison between France, Britain, US and Italy of workers’ attitude to lunch. The Telegraph

24.09.2011

Le Bois des Moutiers: A corner of England in France. A perfect English-style house located in Northern France is being admired for its uniqueness.  BBC

14.03.2011

Europe by numbers: the complete interactive guide. An excellent interactive tool that helps people to learn more about European countries.  Topics include: population, life expectancy, GDP, foreign languages. The Guardian 

14.11.2011

China increases pace in foreign student contingent. US colleges and universities remain the most attractive for Chinese students who choose to study abroad. Over 720,000 students came to the US in 2010.  Educational exchange programmes help develop a solid cultural and business relationship between the two countries. The Washington Times

08.11.2011

Cultural training bolsters options for those seeking health careers. Medical students who attend cultural awareness training will be better prepared for cultural and linguistic differences they face when working in multi-ethnic areas. Merced Sun-Star

17.10.2011

Confucius in Kigali: China’s Cultural Outreach in Rwanda. Report on the Confucius Institute of Kigali: The Institute offers Chinese language courses and several cultural events in Rwanda’s capital. China is spreading its culture all over the world thanks to 300 Confucius Institutes. The World

09.10.2011

India Inc snaps up expats, hiring jumps 20 %. India’s booming economy is attracting an increasing number of expats.  40,000 foreigners are currently working in the country and 20% more expats have been hired this year in comparison with 2010.  India Times

04.10.2011

EU and Brazil agree to step up joint cooperation on cultural issues. A “Joint Programme on Culture” has been signed at the EU-Brazil summit.  Lasting four years it aims to enhance cooperation between the EU and Brazil. Euroalert

29.08.2011

Confessions made by expatriate women. Andrea Martins, director and co-founder of expatwoman.com talks about the other side of being an expat and reveals that it can often be a challenging experience, especially for women. Blogcritics

28.08.2011

Should expat kids go native too? Rob Hyde discusses how expatriate children can benefit more from attending a local school rather than an international school. Expatia

26.08.2011

The challenges of being an expatriate in Turkey. Istanbul expat Ellis Loftis tells about her love of and experiences in her new country Turkey. Todays Zaman

25.08.2011

Shamed US diplomat takes cultural awareness training. Maureen Chao apologised for an inappropriate statement she made about Tamilians when she was vice consul at Chennai Consulate. Cathy Farmer

16.08.2011

Singapore reduce the number of expats allowed to work. Singapore is tightening rules around the number of expat workers allowed in the country. The Telegraph

10.08.2011

A look at the London riots through the eyes of an expat. An expat gives his impressions of the riots in London and explains how he “fell in love” with Londoners’ reactions and response to the events. International Business Time

08.08.2011

Five reasons why expats love Singapore. Singapore is one of the most expensive cities but offers many other advantages for anyone interested in living and working there. CNN GO

03.08.11

Top 5 Common Problems Suffered by Expats. This article goes through the main issues that expats should consider when going to live and work abroad and highlights the top 5.  The Expat Forum

31.07.11

Working abroad can boost your career.  A new poll has highlighted that 83% of women who work abroad have improved their career prospects.  Most employers believe those who have worked abroad can add more value as they have important cross-cultural skills.  The Telegraph

29.07.11

Reverse culture shock: are Brits interested in expat exploits? An expat shares her experience coming back to the UK after more than 20 years abroad. The Telegraph

28.03.11

World Forum of Intercultural Dialogue In Baku on 7-9 April.  The Intercultural Dialogue Forum starting next week in Azerbaijan will propose seminars and conferences about cultural awareness.  Abc.az

27.03.11

Cross-cultural Sensitivity for Society at Large.  Taxi drivers in Dubai might have to follow a cross-cultural sensitivity training course before being allowed to work.  This measure aims to answer many foreigners complaints regarding the behaviour of taxi drivers and offer a better quality of service. Thenational.ae

18.03.11

The Limits.  Defining a polite or rude behaviour can be difficult in a cross-cultural context, but failing to show the appropriate level of politeness expected by a foreign counterpart can lead to clashes and cultural incidents.  Daily News

17.03.11

‘Ethnic Diversity has Economic Benefits’.  In an interview with the Indian Weekender, Mervin Singham, Director of New Zealand’s Office of Ethnic Affairs, claim that ethnic and cultural diversity is a strong asset for a country’s economic growth.  The Indian Weekender 

13.03.11

Japan's Massive Earthquake has Little Effect on Culture's Impeccable Manners.  Most foreign observers were amazed by the calmness and control displayed by the Japanese following the earthquake that struck the archipelago in March.  This behaviour can be explained by the country’s core cultural values.  The Los Angeles Times

08.03.11

Bethel to Expand Cross-cultural Learning Options with China Initiative.  Bethel College located in Kansas, United States, will provide cross-cultural awareness training on China in addition to traditional language courses.  Bethelks.edu

05.03.11

Conference on “Cross-Cultural Management: Practice and Research” Inaugurated at University of Jammu.  The University of Jammu in India organised a conference on cross-cultural management.  It was the occasion for scholars and top executives to discuss the benefits and challenges of working in a global context. India Education Diary

04.03.11

UNESCO Committee Praises Azerbaijan’s Role in Intercultural Dialogue.  The World Forum for Cross-cultural Dialogue due in Baku, Azerbaijan received praises from Mehmet Kalpakci, one of the UNESCO officials, he hoped that the forum “will contribute to international cooperation on preventing religious radicalism, ensuring freedom of conscience and religion”. News.az

02.03.11

Cultural Awareness Key to Success, Army Official Says. Representatives of the US army are now promoting the importance of cross-cultural awareness training for soldiers sent to foreign countries. “The days of a soldier being assigned to another nation without having some cultural knowledge, even if it is basic, are over”, General Ken Keen, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Southern Command, said. Svherald.com 

28.02.11

Promoting Cross-cultural Understanding Through Food and Art.  “Conflict Kitchen” is the name of a restaurant chain which has opened two establishments in Pittsburgh, United States. The concept is quite simple: promote food coming from a country at war or in conflict with the US.  According to its creators, this concept is a great way to improve cultural understandings between American citizens and these countries. The Christian Science Monitor

28.02.11

Intercultural Understanding.  A growing number of foreign nationals are now living and working in South Korea. But most of these foreign workers have little to no experience of Korean language or business etiquette; they need to follow intercultural and language training courses in order to be effective in their new environment. The Korea Times

28.02.11

Doing Business with China Cultural Nous Helps Smooth the Way.  China is still an attractive country for foreign investors. However, its specific history, culture and business etiquette can easily get in the way.  This article from the New Zealand Herald sums up a few guidelines that can help foreigners to conduct business effectively in China.  The New Zealand Herald

25.02.11

Intercultural Brand Management.  Selling across cultures can be difficult for unprepared companies and organisations. Customers’ expectations, habits and perceptions, socio-economic parameters and advertising methods can vary from one culture to another. Hurriyetdailynews.com

23.02.11

EasyJet Apologizes for Offering only Bacon and Ham to Jewish Fliers.  The low cost airway company EasyJet committed a cross-cultural faux pas when offering only bacon and ham sandwiches to fliers heading to Tel Aviv.  The company apologised and announced measures to prevent this from happening again. USA Today

23.02.11

Month of Francophone Culture Kicks Off.  The month of Francophonie just started in Lebanon.  According to the Lebanese Culture Minister, the Francophonie is a formidable tool to ease intercultural communication.  The Daily Star

20.02.11

Korea Looks Overseas to Train Officials.  South Korea is increasingly sending officials abroad to improve their international experiences and develop their skills.  However, relocating to another country can be difficult and many of these expatriates undertake specific cross cultural training courses to help them smooth their expatriation.  The Korean Herald

20.02.11

Russia and Italy Begin the Year of Cultural Exchange.  Announced earlier this year, the year of cultural exchange between Russia and Italy will finally kick off.  Several exhibitions, debates and workshops will aim to develop both countries mutual understanding.  The Voice of Russia

18.02.11

Chinese Firms Struggling to Enter German Market, Study Says.  According to the German Center for Market Entry, Chinese companies trying to enter the German market, need help to improve their approach.  Experts advise Chinese firms to get a better understanding of the German language and  business culture to improve their rate of success.  The Local

17.02.11

Afghan National Army Conducts Literacy and Cultural Awareness Classes.   Afghans officers are now delivering literacy and cultural awareness training courses to new soldiers joining the army.  The aim of this initiative is to help soldiers. Dvids.net

09.02.11

Cultural Diversity: ADP gets Experts to Share on Best Approach. Cultural diversity is commonplace in international organisations. This diversity can lead to misunderstandings and incidents but it is also considered as a strength if managed properly. Trading market.com

04.02.11

Consultant Advises Businesses to Gain "Cultural Competency" to Compete Globally. According to Dr. Thomas Connell, a cross-cultural communication specialist, companies with cultural competencies will have an "unfair advantage" in the global market in the years to come as they will be able to secure more deals with foreign partners. Al.com

04.02.11

Baku Prepares for World Forum for Intercultural Dialogue. Baku in Azerbaijan will host the World Forum for Intercultural Dialogue, 7-9 April 2011. This forum will be an opportunity for NGOs and culture specialists discuss cultural diversity and the challenges it brings to a globalised world. Trend.az

04.02.11

Crisis in Egypt: A Psychological, Cross-cultural Glance. Jan Aylsworth, an expert in organisational psychology proposes an analysis of the Egyptian current situation by using cross-cultural tools and theories. Examiner.com

18.01.11

HR Departments Play Vital Role in M&As.  The Mercer consultancy conducted a survey across managers working in Asia.  According to the findings, the success of a cross-border Merger and Acquisition is linked to the action of HR departments which need to bridge the cultural differences between the two firms.  The India Times

14.01.11

NECC Leads the Way in Language and Culture Awareness Training.  The US forces sent to Africa now receive language and cultural awareness training programmes. With these courses, soldiers are able to cooperate and socialise more effectively with their military counterparts and local populations. Africom.mil

05.01.11

2011: Cultural Exchange Year for Russia and Italy.  Both Russia and Italy wish to expand the cross-cultural awareness with 2011’s year of cultural exchange.  Events such as art exhibitions, debates and live concerts will be hold throughout the year. The voice of Russia

05.01.11

Bridging the Differences: Intercultural Communication in Business.  Intercultural communication and management can help companies to bridge cultural differences.  The Romanian insider starts a series of articles on how to work effectively in Romania.  The Romania Insider

02.01.11

2011: Cultural Exchange Year for Russia and Spain.  2011 is a year of cultural diversity for Russia with cultural exchanges with both Spain and Italy. These exchanges aim to develop cross-cultural awareness between Russians and Spaniards. The Voice of Russia

18.11.10

Training Today’s Military.  Providing military personnel with cultural awareness training is crucial to helping them maintain peace and rebuild the country in which they are based says Jonathan Hillman, a researcher at the US Council of Foreign Relations.  The New York Times

19.11.10

Presentation of the BMW Group Award for Intercultural Commitment.  The car manufacturer BMW presented the winners of its Intercultural Commitment Award.  This prize is given to firms or organizations that promote and support intercultural communication around the globe.  PR Newswire

08.12.10

Immigrants' Lawyers Use Culture as Crime Defence. American lawyers are increasingly using culture and cultural perception to defend their clients and asking courts to take cultural core values into consideration when judging migrants.  Forbes

11.12.10

India & EU Sign Cultural Pact to Improve Mutual Understanding.  The European Commission aims to promote mutual understanding and cross cultural awareness between Europe and India through culture programmes and increased cultural exchange. MSN News

11.11.10

Cultural Misunderstandings Cost Money.  Cultural differences can get in the way when doing business across cultures.  Differences such as language, non verbal communication can lead to severe misunderstandings. The Daily Pioneer

08.11.10

US Relations Hailed.  The Deputy King of Bahrain hailed the cultural exchanges and the building of cross cultural bridges.  He also emphasised the fact that his country was currently enhancing its education system to remain competitive in the global market. Gulf Daily News

04.11.10

Ogilvy Introduces Cross Cultural Practice.  The world renowned advertisement agency Ogilvy launched a new service called Ogilvy Culture.  The aim of this service is to develop communication campaigns targeting each cultural audience present in the US to advertise products more efficiently.  Portada

03.11.10

Colorado Firms Learn Cultural Differences When Doing Business Overseas.  US firms discover the difficulties of doing business abroad.  As most Americans tend to consider that time is money, it is not the case in other cultures that emphasise relationships.  The Denver Post

29.10.10

Curried Chicken Burrito is Cross-cultural.  Cultural exchanges do not only occur in the workplace, recipes and traditional dishes can also be modified to meet cultural tastes. The Canadian Press

27.10.10

Using Sport to Cross Cultural Divide.  Expatriates make Gaelic Football popular in South Korea with locals also joining in. This example shows that sport can help bridge the cultural divide and help international assignees settle in a new country and minimize culture shock.  The Korea Times

17.10.10

West Point Gets a Glimpse of China’s Classical Culture.  Initiatives to create bridges across culture are taking place at West Point University, United States as students had the opportunity to watch a traditional Chinese performance.   “It is cultural awareness training” says Ed Leonard, a construction manager who watched the performance.  The Epoch Times

15.10.10

Roundtable discusses Islam in the U.S. and France, religious tolerance in the West.  Intercultural communication can also help religions to have a better understanding of each other.  Hannah Taieb member of Council on International Educational Exchange underlines the need of cultural dialogue between the western countries and their Muslims minorities.
The Brandeis Hoot

14.10.10

Students Strengthen Relations with Chinese Youth.  The University of Queensland, Australia has decided to offer its students the opportunity to learn more about Chinese culture.  “Strengthening the cultural understanding will promote positive engagement in the future” says Mr. Byrne the Australian leader of the project. University of Queensland website

12.10.10

Debating the Role of Media in Intercultural Dialogue.  Monaco is hosting the international ceremony of the Anna Lindh Journalist Award 2010.  During this event, debates and forums will take place to discuss the role of media in intercultural dialogue and perceptions in Europe and North Africa.  ENPI Info Centre

11.10.10

You're not Angelina Jolie but you can do an International Internship.  Leaving for an internship abroad is an excellent way to gain cross cultural knowledge and develop a global mindset.  The Washington Post gives you tips and advice to find the perfect international internship. The Washington Post

12.10.10

Studying Abroad Raises Cultural Awareness. According to an article published by the University of Nebraska, students studying abroad develop better intercultural skills, allowing them to gain a global mindset before starting their professional life. College Media Network

21.09.10

'Reading' Other People's Emotions Varies by Culture.  A recently published study emphasises the fact that emotions are communicated differently from one culture to another.  The study focuses on differences between Dutch and Japanese cultures and how to decode each other’s feelings. Businessweek.com

15.09.10

West Is West Mines More Laughs from Culture Shock.  Anger, anxiety, loss of sleep, and frustration, the culture shock symptoms are all but fun.  Director Andy DeEmmony produces a comedy about the troubles of a family settling into a foreign country and the role culture plays. Reuters

08.09.10

Irvine's Hoag Hospital works to bridge cultural barriers through cultural training. The personnel working at Irvine’s Hoag Hospital in Los Angeles, California is coping with their patients’ beliefs and traditions.  From removing the number “4” button in the elevator to preparing special meals, and creating Feng Shui rooms, everything is done to accommodate patients from other cultures. The Los Angeles Times

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Communication Skills Training

12.12.2011

Workers of the future will need different skills than in the past. Are you ready? Skills in reading, writing and arithmetic will no longer be enough to be a successful manager. Communication skills are now essential to be competitive.  Forbes

07.11.2011

English Accents. An Indian woman describes how an accent can greatly influence the perception people have of your English skills. The Times of India

28.09.2011

Pen-free day speaks volumes for children’s communication skills. Almost one million children in the UK lack basic communication skills.  This could have a negative effect on their social behavior for the rest of their lives. Thisisnorthdevon

28.03.11

Social media has benefits and risks for kids.  Specialists in children’s health say social media such as blogs and Facebook are an excellent way to develop communication skills but warn parents about the possible risks of these communication methods. Medical News Today

18.03.11

Firms 'Want Strong Communication Skills' from Graduate Jobseekers.  According to Dan Hawers, young graduates leaving university need to develop their communication skills to find a position quickly. The Chartered Management Institute

11.03.11

Texting, Facebook and Twitter. Technology can be a great help and nowadays social networks are a great way to communicate quickly.  But do theses new means of communication harm face-to face communication and interpersonal skills? Manchester Patch

09.03.11

Gender Communication in Business: When the Best Man for the Job is a Woman.  Women can bring unique communication skills to the workplace, with high levels of empathy and strong interpersonal skills they can become strong leaders for their employees.  The Jamaica Observer

04.03.11

Um, Like, Whatever: College Grads Lack Verbal Skills. According to a Job Outlook 2011 survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employment, employers are satisfied with the analytical and team working skills of their employees but feel that they need to learn how to communicate more effectively in the workplace. Foxbusiness.com

03.03.11

Many Firms Feel Employee Communication has Improved.  According to a survey conducted by the Chartered Management Institute, 65% of UK employers have believe that communication has improved in their organisation.  Managers.org.uk

17.02.11

Job Seekers: How Do You Rate with Employers?  A survey conducted among hundreds of companies shows that employers are actively looking for candidates with strong communication skills say researchers from Oklahoma State University.  Newswise.com

11.02.11

Effective Leaders and Communicators.  Effective leaders need to have strong communication skills.  An open mind, knowing how to show empathy and avoid blunt criticisms are some of the key communication skills every leader need. Capital News

09.02.11

Africa has over 1,500 Languages but Lacks the Business English Communication Skills. Africa is, alongside India and China an emerging market in the global economy. While African workforce is becoming more attractive for entrepreneurs, the lack of business English communication skills could hinder the economic development of the continent. Pr-USA.net

06.02.11

Communication Key in Today's Job Market. Communication skills are highly regarded by managers and employers says Heather Stanek. Knowing how to interact with fellow workers and counterparts is vital Stanek argues. Fdlreporter.com

04.02.11

Human Resources: Communication is Critical. Either to resolve conflicts, negotiate or announce decisions, HR managers need to have the proper communication skills to interact with their organisations' employees. They need to find a balance between their managerial skills and their communication skills to work efficiently. Biztime

03.12.10

Wanted: Good Speaking Skills. A recent survey shows that top US companies are seeking job applicants with excellent communication skills. The Wall Street Journal

10.12.10

NKT! It is Not an LOL matter! Technology is changing the way we communicate virtually. While the use of contractions or acronyms such as “lol” is acceptable, professionals are increasingly using them in formal email. This misuse can sometimes harm business relationships or opportunities. The Standard

26.11.10

The Communication Troubles of Generation Text. Adapting a professional communication style in the office is sometimes difficult. From providing too much information to writing in a casual and unprofessional way, young graduates can experience various issues when using written communication. The Globe and Mail

22.11.10

Why Simple Language Should Mean Lucrative Profits. Companies need to know how to write with impact when it comes to marketing to the public. Organisations such as Apple have understood this fact and always communicate with simple and catchy slogans. The BBC

19.11.10

Pupils Will Lose Marks for Poor Grammar and Spelling. Pupils who fail to show high standard of written English skills will lose marks in their GCSE exams says Michael Gove, the UK Education Secretary. This decision was taken after businesses complained about the poor level of written English of young graduates. The Telegraph

11.10.10

Irish Employers Say Graduates can't Write Well Enough.  Over half of Irish employers admitted a lack of communication skills among graduates applying for a job.  In the current market condition, it is utterly important for young graduates to gain these professional communication skills to stand out.  The Irish Independent

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