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2.5: Growing Your Intercultural Communication Skills- Navigating Intercultural Encounters

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    306463
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    A close-up of hands holding map

    Figure 2.5.1: A hand pointing out features on a treasure map.

    Thus far in this chapter, you’ve explored what it means to be a competent communicator, examined Howell’s staircase model of competence, and considered the importance of motivation, knowledge, and skills. You’ve also been introduced to a range of communication strategies that you’ll continue to develop throughout this book.

    At this point, the journey toward intercultural competence may feel both exciting and overwhelming. It’s natural to wonder: How much are we ethically obligated to adapt to the cultural behaviors of others? Is flexibility always the right response? These questions are central to navigating intercultural encounters with integrity and respect.

    To help guide this process, Martin and Nakamura (2025) offer a practical framework of five foundational communication skills that support intercultural competence. These skills are not just techniques, they’re habits of mind that help us engage more thoughtfully across difference:

    These skills are not mastered overnight. They require reflection, practice, and a willingness to grow. As you continue through this textbook, you’ll have opportunities to apply these skills in real-world scenarios and consider how they connect to your personal values, academic goals, and future career.


    2.5: Growing Your Intercultural Communication Skills- Navigating Intercultural Encounters is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Angela Hoppe-Nagao & Kim Yee, Cerritos College..