Now more than ever, a clear knowledge and understanding of languages, cultures, and customs is essential to successfully marketing products and services around the world. Barriers to competition may occur in differences in language, technology levels, conceptions of authority, environmental perceptions, contexting, and social organization. In…

The phenomenon of culture shock as it affects intercultural business communication is examined. The symptoms of the syndrome and its effects on the business traveler and his/her business are discussed. Flaws in current training that increase rather than reduce the impact of culture shock are explored. It is suggested that much training prepares…

To determine which measures best predict the seven dimensions of the Intercultural Behavioral Assessment Indices, a study examined 149 international students (mainly from the Far East, Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Europe) at a large midwestern university in the spring of 1986. Average age was 27.5 years, and average length of stay in the United…

A survey was conducted among two groups of undergraduates concerning expectations and attitudes about foreign teaching assistants and consulting teaching assistants during office hours. Two questionnaires were administered by foreign teaching assistants to linguistics and math students during the first and last week of classes, and 54 responses…

Three essays concerning second language classroom activities that promote learning of communication skills are presented. In "From Manipulation to Communication" (Renate A. Schulz), the importance of establishing minimal communicative objectives for classroom instruction skills is discussed, specifying situations in which students have to…

Major worldwide trends point to increased global interdependency and interrelatedness, to a growing need to overcome barriers that separate cultures, and to the development of new leadership that is culturally fluent and aware of cross-cultural opportunities and problems. This paper addresses major global-related questions and trends and the…

The concept and intercultural application of a "common sense" approach to communication deserves close scrutiny. In an intercultural context, "common sense" should be renamed "cultural perception." In fact, there is nothing that can universally transcend culture and be called "common sense.""Common…

A bibliography on politeness as it relates to second language learning and intercultural relationships contains 188 citations of books, papers, articles, and monographs. Several aspects of politeness are covered, including acquisition by children, gender and power differences in polite behavior, and its relationship to communicative functions such…

A model was developed positing four factors as having a determinant influence on the desire of Mexicans for future economic relationships between their country and the United States. The factors, previously identified as occupying a central position in intercultural communication, are perceptions of shared interests, threats, homophily, and…

Challenges language educators to use the computer wisely, as a tool for more effective learning of language, which is so crucial to the building of world-wide bridges of understanding in this age of economic interdependence and nuclear threat. (Author/SED)

A Scottish educator observes that "most of Europe" is taught in U. S. high schools as a "living museum," neglecting contemporary life and developments. Provides an outline of content, emphasizing human geography, which is suggested for the study of contemporary Scotland by U. S. high school students. (JDH)

Addresses the problem of overcoming the prime time commercial TV stereotype (e.g. "Dynasty,""Hill Street Blues," and "Dallas") of the United States as it is learned by European students. Focuses on European perceptions of post-World War II U. S. foreign policy and the damage that policy does to the image of Americans…

English is the subject in which it is most appropriate in Norwegian secondary schools to provide a general introduction to life in the United States. The American studies content of courses taught to students taking one to four years of English is presented. (JDH)

Permeated with ethical and political concerns, with racial gender, and cultural differences, this case study deals with specifics of Native American education in Canada. It is an example of educational change and takes its meaning from that reality. (Author)

This article describes 6 of the 17 school computer projects awarded $600,000 in microcomputer equipment and software in the "Wheels for the Mind" program established by Apple Education Affairs. Apple would provide advanced courses for rural schools, set up an intercultural network, develop reasoning skills, train teachers, and create…