This paper explores difficulties students may experience in giving opinions in class, drawing on data gleaned from the administration of questionnaires and interviews to Japanese and British students. The results show that the students from both groups regard highly of giving and exchanging opinions in class; however, there is a marked difference…

Examines the traditional Japanese model of university teaching and compares it with the traditional model found in American universities. After a comparative analysis of both approaches, he discusses and raises questions about the feasibility of developing a truly universal methodology, given deep cultural differences and expectations. Describes…

Presents an inductive, holistic method of analysis of face-to-face communication based on simulated business negotiations between Japanese and American businesspeople. (JC)

Examined problems in communicating emergency information to multi-ethnic communities using a sample of flood warning recipients in a town with a large Mexican American segment. Results showed Mexican Americans were more skeptical, were less likely to evacuate and were less likely to interpret messages as indicating personal danger. (RC)

Found that particular college of undergraduate degree was a predictor of problems in orientation, academics, social-personal living-dining, student-activities and placement areas for Nigerian students. Except in the area of finance, undergraduate respondents reported more problems than graduate respondents. (Author)

A study examined the extent to which existing data on communication apprehension (CA) can be employed to accurately reflect the cultural differences observed. The impact of those findings on the understanding of the nature of CA as it occurs in multiple cultures was also examined. Ten research reports that contained quantitative information that…

A cross-cultural study was undertaken to examine levels of communication apprehension reported by five- to eleven-year-old subjects in the United States and Sweden. The approach was twofold: the examination of elementary age subjects and the use of their native language. The Personal Report of Communication Fear was administered to 186 males and…

Taboo or forbidden topics of conversation are compared for Taiwan, the Republic of China, and United States. Emphasis is on the conveyance of conversational conventions in second language teaching. First, the concept of conversational taboos is examined, noting the non-transferability of taboos across cultures and languages. Four kinds of taboos…

A study was conducted to identify and compare the prevalence of communication apprehension among foreign, black, and white students. Data from a survey of basic English and speech classes were used to locate 83 nonapprehensive and 64 apprehensive foreign, black, and white students, who were then identified as low communication apprehensive or high…

Both North American and Latin American business professionals were investigated in a study that focused on the perceived communication problems between the two groups. A number of major areas of interest were considered, including the following: (1) source of credibility (what dimensions of personality were seen as most desirable in the…

Cultural differences between Arabs and Americans may cause misunderstandings when Arab students come to study in American universities. As part of the author's plan to write a guidebook for Arab students who are new to American university life, this paper presents preliminary analysis of differences in the two cultures. The author hopes her…

The research reported here seeks to explain communication failure between Whites and Aboriginals in Australia, based on an examination of fundamental concepts underlying the world view of each group. The research arose from the observation that in Aboriginal-White encounters, each group had different expectations of and conclusions about the same…