Colegio De Sta. Lourdes of Leyte Foundation Inc.
Barangay 1 Quezon Tabontabon, Leyte
ENGLISH 11: COMMUNICATION FOR SOCIETY (Purposive Communication)
Module No. 10| Unit 2: Chapter 1: Corporate Cultural and Communication
Lesson 2: Intercultural Issues in Workplace Communication
Lesson 3: Simulating the Philippine Workplace
November 22, 2021- November 29, 2021
Date of Submission: November 15, 2021
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
• understand the importance of considering culture in workplace communication in the
twenty-first century;
• identify the cultural factors that influence intercultural or cross-cultural
communication; and
• apply the principles of effective intercultural communication in the writing of
professional correspondence.
• Construct basic workplace documents based on the principles of
corporate/professional communication;
• write an effective cover letter and resume based on the guidelines for the job
application process; and
• effectively introduce oneself and answer questions in a scenario simulating the job
interview.
ACTIVITYLOG
Input Starter
Covid-19 Reminders
Focused Discussion
Assessment
Self-Evaluation
Enrichment
Point of Clarification
INPUT
Starter
Your safety is top priority during this COVID-19. Observe the following safety pre-cautions
below.
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Safety Pre-Cautions
Sanitize hands on the way in and on the way out
Don’t touch your face
Wear a face mask at minimum when in the home doing any work
Limit interactions with the home
Don’t touch anything that you don’t need to
Maintain separation distance from others
Carry disinfectants such as sanitizers, alcohols and etc.
Focused Discussions
Unit II: Chapter 1| Corporate Cultural and Communication
Lesson 2: Intercultural Issues in Workplace Communication
Communication and the Twenty-First Century Workplace
In Unit I, Chapter 1, the impact of globalization on communication was
discussed. In a study called “The impact of Globalization on Cross-Cultural
Communication” the authors make the point that, “In a global environment the ability
to communicate effectively can be a challenge. Even when both parties speak the
same language there can still be misunderstandings due to ethnic and cultural
differences” (Matthews and Thakkar, 2012). The advances of mass media,
particularly telecommunication systems like email, text messaging, and social
networking sites means that people across the planet can communicate and share
information with each other. “The world is getting smaller,” says Gloria S. Chan
(1999) in her essay “Management Communication: An Asian Perspective, “and the
implication of this in terms of communication, is that people who speak different
cultures will have to deal with each other. This type of communication is called cross-
cultural or intercultural communication.
Cultural Differences
Having a multinational or cross-cultural team or partnership has benefits and
challenges. On the one hand, diverse cultures can mean a diverse knowledge base
and new approaches to solving workplace problems. On the other hand, certain
ideas may be at risk of being ‘lost in translation.” As Emy Pascasio (1999) notes,
“Cross-cultural faux pas result when we fail to recognize that persons of other
cultural backgrounds have different goals, customs, traditions, thought patterns, and
values from our own.” While one way of behaving and communicating may be the
norm for one group, it can seem unusual or even cause offense to another.
Although not directly related to communication, one example of a cultural
difference that matters in workplace interactions is the value given to time. Pascasio
(1999) notes that “Americans value or promptness. They generally make use of
schedules and evaluate each other’s behavior in these terms.” This is also true in
Japan, where the trains-and people-are expected to arrive on schedule. However, in
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the Philippines, “to arrive late is the norm rather than the exception and it has a
different meaning depending on how late is, the circumstances of the meeting, and
how well one knows the person being met” (Piscasio, 1999). To elaborate, according
to a recent Inquirer.net article, “arriving one minute late will likely not merit an
apology, but one hour would” (Lasco, 2017). There is also, according to the same
article, a “politics of time,” wherein “Some can arrive ‘fashionably late’ because of-or
to assert-their importance” even in professional contexts in the Philippines today.
Cultural differences are tied to language differences, that is, language and culture go
hand in hand. As Pascasio (1999) notes, “Language reflects the realities of a given
culture and affects the way its members define their experiences. “Language can
reflect how concepts like time, distance, color, pain, and so on are perceived
differently by people from different cultures. The pronoun system of the Tagalog
language, for example, has two equivalents of the English “we”: The term kami is
exclusive and refers to the in-group (and excludes the outsider), while the term tayo
is inclusive (Pascasio, 1999). Such a pronoun system suggests the Filipino value for
in-group loyalty. Philippine English, which was mentioned in a previous lesson, may
also drawn on for examples of cultural-linguistic differences. English expressions
with meanings that are different locally, will not be understood by non-Filipinos. One
must be wary then of using expressions like blowout (a treat), dirty ice cream (local
ice cream bought from street vendors), jingle (to urinate), or go down (get off a
vehicle) when conversing with non-local speakers of English.
Effective Intercultural Communication
By now, it should be clear how important it is to be culturally aware and culturally
sensitive when navigating intercultural communication. The key is to be aware of the
existence of cultural differences and managing such differences. Here are two more
cultural differences that affect communication between those from the East and
West, along with some suggestions as to how to find a middle ground.
Directness Versus Circumlocution
As mentioned earlier, brevity, clarity, and directness of communication are
favored in American and British cultures. As Chan (1999) explains it, “this means
that a message, an idea, a request, etc, should be conveyed to the audience or
recipient clearly and is a few words as mandatory.” For example, when
communicating a refusal or rejection to Westerners, Asians should avoid
circumlocution or indirectness and instead, state a polite yet clear “no.” On the other
hand, a Westerner communicating with someone from Asia should be aware of the
latter culture’s valuing of interpersonal harmony or smooth interpersonal
relationships (abbreviated as SIR). For instance, when an American communicates
in a typically direct way to a Filipino, this can be viewed as too “brutal frank” an
approach, according “a facility at getting along with others in such a way as to avoid
outward sign of conflict” (Pascasio, 1999). The American who is aware of the value
of SIR can then make an attempt to both clearly convey a rejection but also “soften”
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this with buffers, for instance an explanation or good news preceding the outright
“no.”
Personal/Friendly Language Versus Respectful Language
Chan (1999) calls attention to the emphasis in Western contexts on using
friendly and personal-rather than impersonal-language in workplace. Employers and
employees are encourage to use personal pronouns such as I, you, me and we in
writings; she says the objective of this is the establishment of rapport between
communicator and audience” (Chan 1999).
For intercultural communication to be effective, writers and speakers from both
Eastern and Western contexts should be familiar with these conventions. They may
either adjust to the culture and mode of address of the other or choose to not take
offense because they understand the culture that drives the linguistic convention.
Synthesis
Gloria S. Chan says that intercultural communication is more challenging than
intracultural communication because there is greater mastery of one’s own language
and culture. Yet for intercultural communication to be effective, adaptations to a
culture different from one’s own are necessary. One also needs to “abide by the
cultural norms and standards English imposes on the users of language”
(Chan,1999).
Lesson 3: Simulating the Philippine Workplace
Professional Correspondence
This section will provide additional tips, evaluation exercises, and composition
exercises for memos and letters. It will also discuss the principles guiding email
communication in the workplace, followed by an email evaluation and writing
exercises.
Memos
The memo follow a specific format designed for internal communication (see the
template below). It tends to be brief (one page is usually enough), and its content is
arranged into paragraphs, typically just one to three. The memo’s subject line is of
prime importance.
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Memo Template
(two inches of blank space)
Memorandum or Memo
To: Readers’ names
(one blank line)
From: Writer’s name
(one blank line)
Date: Current date
(one blank line)
Subject: What the memo is about
(two blank lines)
First single-spaced paragraph: an opening that grabs attention and introduces the
purpose of the memo, the context and problem, and the specific assignment or
task
(one blank line)
Good-news memos and letters can highlight the good news in the subject line,
but bad-news letters and memos should have a neutral subject line. A good subject
line is specific, concise, and appropriate to the kind of message.
Business Letter
The business letter, like the memo, should be clear, concise, and organized.
Typically, it contains a brief introductory paragraph establishing the context and
purpose of the letter, a middle section conveying derails of the message in a logical
sequence, and a brief concluding paragraph politely requesting action, thanking the
reader, or providing any additional pertinent information.
Two Examples of Business Letters
Indirect: Thank you for your email of May 11 in which you inquired about the
availability of sprinkler part H640B.
Direct: You will be glad to know that we have an ample supply of H640B parts.
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Work Email
Email messages have several advantages over print communication: they allow
professionals to send, forward, and receive many messages quickly and efficiently,
and they are designed for simultaneously circulation. Messages may also be
organized easily in electronic ‘folders’ for later reference and replies. Email are eco-
friendly, as large documents may be sent economically and without using a paper
resources.
The Application Process
In job application process, first, the two main professional documents are
discussed in detailed. Then, guidelines and tips for taking part in a job interview are
outlined. Finally, preparations required for the mock job interview are provided.
Cover Letter and Resume
A cover letter is a “letter you write to a perspective employer to persuade him/her
to give you a job” (Arinto, 2009).
It is very important that the cover letter does not contain mistakes when it comes
to the information about the company and the prospective employer. In a cover letter
template constructed by Richard J. Wallace (2006) in the Adams Cover Almanac, he
provides a summary of the kind of information that should be included in each
section of cover letter.
First, the date and inside address should be provided, the latter including the
contact person’s name and position, as well as the company name and its address.
In the second paragraph, qualifications should be supported with concrete and
specific details, such as highlights from the applicant’s resume.
Next, Locker and Kaczmarek (2009) define resume as a document attached to a
cover letter to serve as “a persuasive summary of your qualifications for
employment” (as cited in Robinson-Easley, 2013).
Three main types of resume
Chronological resume – is the traditional and most accepted resume format. Items
are listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent work or schooling first.
Functional resume – focuses on the skills and talents developed by the applicant
and does not emphasize job titles, employer names, and dates.
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Chrono-functional resume – as the names suggest, is a combination of the two
types: it chronologically lists job history and education but also allows the applicant
to highlight certain marketable qualifications.
Job Interview
Job interviews can vary from structured or formal with a set of specific
questions to unstructured with more freewheeling conversation. Among several other
types of interviews, the following are the most common:
The traditional one on one interview – The candidate is interviewed by one
person.
The panel interview – The candidate is interviewed along with fellow
candidates.
The stress interview – The candidate is asked a series of difficult and
intimidating questions to see how he/she handles stress.
Before the interview
Have the right mindset. Remember that the primary goal of the interviewer is to
learn whether you have the skills, trainings, experience, and interest necessary to
fulfill the requirements of the position.
Research. Gather information about the company you are applying to so you can
adjust your responses to fit that company.
Know the typical questions asked. Below is a table of questions collated from
various source but mainly based on those from The Professional Development
Seminar Junior and Senior Course Workbook (Nicholis College Professional
Development, 2007).
Getting-to-know-you questions Tell me about yourself. What was
your course and major in college,
and why did you choose it? If you
could do it over again, would you
stay in the same field? Why? What
are your greatest strengths? What
are some things you enjoy doing in
your spare time? What are your
hobbies, sports, or interests?
Questions about your What specific qualification do you
qualifications have for this job? Can you talk
about your previous work
experiences, whether part-time jobs
or internships? What were your
biggest achievements in College?
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Why should we hire you when there
are other applicants with better
credentials or more experience?
Forward-looking questions Where do you see yourself five
years from now? If you were hired
for this position, what would you do
to ensure that you fit in? do you
plan to continue your education?
Tough questions What are your greatest weakness?
Is there anything you would like to
change about your personality?
What is this and why? How did you
prepare for this interview? Do you
feel you achieved the best grade-
point average of which you were
capable in college? Have you ever
faced an ethical dilemma? What did
you do and how did you feel about
it? If a superior give you a specific
instructions to do something in a
particular way, and you know that
way was wrong, what action would
you take?
Questions about money What kind of salary do you expect?
How much did you previously earn?
How much are you presently
earning? By age___, how much
money do you expect to earn? can
you take a pay cut from your current
(or previous) job?
Know what questions are illegal
-your relationship status
-disabilities
-how much alcohol you drink
-where you have been ever arrested
-religious preferences
-whether or not you have children
-birth control practices
-living arrangements
-whether you own or rent a house
-your weight and height
Prepare your own questions. Interviewers typically ask the applicant if he/she has
any questions.
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During the Interview
-arrive early and present yourself
-smile, make frequent eye contact, and control your body movements.
-be clear
-wait for the interviewer to officially signal the end of the interview.
Mock Job Interview
The script provided here is designed for the course instructor’s use. The teacher
will set a schedule for each student to participate in a mock interview for the position
specific in his/her cover letter.
ASSESSMENT
Learning Activity:
Lesson one:
1. Can you think of concrete examples of how language reflects culture? Research and list your own
examples of words from different languages that expresses concepts important to people who speak
those languages (for instance, you may have already heard of the example of how many words there
are in Filipino related to “rice,” e.g., palay, bigas, kanin, sinangag, tutuong).
2. Search online for the essay “How Asians Say ‘No’ Without Saying it” by Jasper Kim, List the five
ways of saying no “no” enumerated by the author.
Lesson two:
1. Imagine yourself that you are already a registered nurse (RN), and that you were already applying
for a job in a hospitals. Create your own resume and application letter for that job.
SELF-EVALUATION
Rate yourself from 1 to 5 (1 being the lowest while 5 being the highest) on the level of
understanding that you are able to attain for this module:
1 2 3 4 5
ENRICHMENT
For further learning kindly visit the link given below.
o Axelrod, R.B. & cooper, C.R. (2011). Axelrod and Cooper‘s Concise Guide to Writing,
5th Ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin‘s http://english28-
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payte.weebly.com/uploads/3/8/2/9/38294063/nortonfieldguide2.pdf)
POINTOFCLARIFICATION
Please write any questions or points of clarification about the content of this module:
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
REFERENCES
LEARNING REFERENCES:
o Adler, R., Elmhorst. J. M., & Lucas, k (2012) Communicate at work: Strategies for success in business and
the professions. NY : McGraw Hill
o Baker, W. (2o12). From cultural awareness to intercultural awareness: culture in ELT. ELT Journal, 66(1),
62-70.
o Bernales, R., Balon, W. and Biligan, R., 2018. Purposive Communication: In Local And Global Contexts.
Malabon City: Mutya Publishing House, Inc.
o Biber, D..& Conrad S. (2009). Register, genre and style. Cambridge: Cambridge University o Bullock, R. &
Goggin, M. (2013). The Norton Field Guide to Writing 3rd edition. W.W. Norton and
Company (See:
http://english28-payte.weebly.com/uploads/3/8/2/9/38294063/nortonfieldguide2.pdf) o Bullock, R.,
Goggin, M. D., & Weinberg, F. (2016). The Norton field guide to writing with readings and handbook. W.
W. Norton. o Chase, r. &Shamo, S. (2013) .Elements of Effective Communication, 4th ed. Washington,
Utah: Plain and Precious Publishing.
o Dainton, M. &Zelley E. (2015) .Applying communication theory for professional life. A practical introduction,
3rd ed. Sage Publishing.
o Kirkpatrick, A. (2007) . ―World Englishes: Implications for International Communication and English
Language Teaching. ― English in the World Global Rules, Global Roles. Cambridge University Press.
Lucas, S. (2011). The art of public speaking. NY: McGraw Hill. (see also:
https://www.academia.edu/40918025/The_Art_of_Public_Speaking_12th_Edition)
o Mooney, A. Peccei, J.S., La Belle, S., et al, (2010) ,Language , society and power: An introduction, 3rd ed.
London Routledge.
ISABELL POLON, LPT ldsisabell19@gmail.com
Instructor
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