Cultural Awareness

Training for the Orange Campus

Community Collaborative
November 20, 2006
Sponsored by: the Student Coalition for
Action in Literacy Education
What is Cultural Awareness?
• Cultural Awareness is a greater understanding,
sensitivity, and appreciation of the history, values,
experiences, behaviors, interactions, affective
understanding and lifestyles.
• It recognizes and accepts differences in: Race, Ethnicity,
Gender, Sexual Orientation, Religious Affiliation, Socio-
economic, Status Mental/Physical Abilities.

• Most of the times the differences are not very

apparent or tangible. Certain aspects of a culture
may be learned consciously (e.g. methods of greeting
people), some other differences are learned
subconsciously (e.g. methods of problem solving).
Perspectives on Culture and
Competency
• “One ought not to hoard culture. It should be
adapted and infused into society as a leaven.
Liberality of culture does not mean illiberality of its
benefits.”
• Wallace Stevens, 6/20/1899

• “If we cannot end our differences now, at least we can

make the world safe for diversity.”
• John F. Kennedy, 6/10/1963

• “In the transmission of human culture, people always

attempt to replicate, to pass on to the next generation,
the skills and values of the parents, but the attempt
always fails because cultural transmission is geared
to learning not DNA.”
• George Bateson, Mind and Matter
 Benefits of Cultural Awareness and
Competency:
• “Healing, harmony, and unity between groups occur
as we interact more with, become more aware about,
and become better educated about one another. It's a
cause for celebration when we are willing to take risks
regarding our multicultural growth.”

Gain Greater Self-Awareness

Gain Greater Awareness of Others
Develop New Friendships
Develop Better Interpersonal Skills
Become Better Able to Challenge Stereotypes and
Prejudices
Promote More Healing and Harmony Between Groups
Become Better Equipped to Live in a Multicultural
World
From the University of Notre Dame, University Counseling Services. <http://www.nd.edu>
 Cultural Awareness and the ESOL
Classroom
• LANGUAGE LEARNING: “replacing” one language with a
new language, insofar as it is rarely possible to speak two
languages fluently at the exact same time.
Native
New
Language
Language

• CULTURE LEARNING: a selective process, where the

learner is free to mix and match elements of new and
native cultures. The learner controls the level of blending
that occurs. New Culture
Native Learner’s
Culture Selected
Culture
 As a result of the selective nature of culture
learning, it is important that ESOL tutors
understand the importance of cultural
competency, respecting learner’s beliefs and
customs, but also knowing which elements of
American culture need to be taught in order
to help learners succeed.
Areas where awareness is most necessary and can most affect
learning:
•Punctuality and Time Management
• Feelings of Pride and Shame
•Expectations of an Educational System
•Role of the Family
•Expectations of and Roles Based on Gender
Developing a Foundation for Cultural
Awareness – Hofstede’s Dimensions
• Geert Hofstede, Dutch expert on the interactions between national
cultures, suggests that we can being to develop our cultural
awareness, and learn to work more effectively with people of other
nationalities, if we are aware of the 5 INTERCULTURAL
DIMENSIONS.
• Power Distance
• Individualism vs. Collectivism
• Uncertainty Avoidance
• Masculinity vs. Femininity
• Long term vs. short term orientation
• Hofstede’s theories are explained in his written works, including
Culture’s Consequences (2nd rev ed., 2001) and Cultures and
Organizations, Software of the Mind (w/ Gert Han Hofstede, 2nd rev
ed., 2005)
• Hofstede is currently the Extramural Fellow at the University of
Tillburg’s Center for Economic Research and was the founder and
first director of the Institute for Research on Cultural Cooperation
(IRIC), the Netherlands.
 Power Distance
- Measures how much a culture does or does not value
hierarchical relationships and respect for authority.

- Perspective frequently considers the degree to which less

powerful members of society expect differences in levels of
power.

- In countries with high power distance scores:

- Those in authority openly demonstrate their rank.
- Subordinates are not given important work and are
expected to take explicit direction.
- Subordinates take the blame for failures.
- Class divisions are expected.
- Political violence and/ or totalitarian government is
frequent.
- Examples include: Russia, India, China, most Latin American and
Arab nations.
-In countries with a low power distance score:
-Superiors treat subordinates with respect and do not
pull rank.
-Subordinates are entrusted with important
assignments.
-Blame is shared with or fully taken by a superior.
-Managers and subordinates can socialize.
-Liberal democracy is present/ is developed.
-Societies lean toward egalitarianism.
-Examples include: Japan, Australia, Canada, Scandinavian and
Germanic speaking countries.
-Where high power distance perpetuates inequalities such
as caste systems, lower power distance does not emphasize
differences in status, power or wealth, allowing upward
social mobility and equality as a collective aim of society.
 Individualism vs. Collectivism
• Measures the degree to which a society reinforces individual
or collective achievements and interpersonal relationships.
• The rights of the individual versus those of the group.
Individualism Collectivism
-Personal Identity is “I” -”We” is more important than “I.”
-Personal Goals and Achievements -Conformity is expected and viewed
strived for. positively.
-Individual goals are pursued at the -Individual goals and aspirations are
expense of others. subsumed by the good of the group.
-“Individualism” is encouraged -The rights of the group (family, work
through dress, personality, music, unit, etc.) are more important.
etc.
-Rules provide for stability, order,
-Laws protect individual rights, obedience, and rewards for
including free speech, protection of conformity.
choices.
-Individual relationships are formed
with large numbers of people, but
these relationships are weak.
 Uncertainty Avoidance

• Measures the level of acceptance for uncertainty and

ambiguity – coping with anxiety by minimizing risks.
• Inherently measures a country or culture’s preference
for strict laws and regulations.
• Can be affected by a belief system– high scores to
predominately Islamic or Catholic countries; low scores to
predominately Protestant, Buddhist or Hindu countries.
• Countries with high uncertainty avoidance scores:
• Can have a longer history than low scoring countries.
• Have a homogenous population and are more
xenophobic.
• Avoid all risk, even calculated, in business.
• Have difficulty introducing new ideas and concepts

• Examples: Greece (highest score), Belgium, Germany, France,

Portugal, Japan, Israel, Spain, Latin America
• Countries with low uncertainty avoidance scores:
• Have a younger or shorter history.
• Have a more diverse population and encourage
immigrants to assimilate.
• Embrace risk as a part of business.
• Frequently innovate.

• Examples: Singapore (lowest score), U.S.A., Jamaica, Ireland,

Sweden, China, India
Masculinity vs. Femininity

• Measures the degree to which societies do or do not

enforce a traditional masculine work role model of male
achievement, control, and power.

• Refers to gender connotations for values – either

masculine or feminine, where male traits are
predominantly assertive and female traits are
predominantly nurturing.

• The value does not measure gender roles.

• Cultures that are “feminine” frequently have low levels

of gender equality – such as countries of the Middle
East.
 Masculine Traits
Masculine
- Life’s priorities: achievement,
Societies:
wealth, expansion and war.
- Conflicts are settled with Japan
aggressive means. (highest score)
- Women and men have
USA
different roles.
- “Live to work:” long hours, UK
short vacations.
Germany
- Manufacturing and business
dominate. Ireland
- Cultural origins did not require
cooperation. Italy
- Icon is a warrior or Mexico
entrepeneur.
- Few women are present in India
politics.
 Feminine Feminine Traits
Societies: - Life’s priorities are family,
relationships and quality of life.
Sweden
- Conflicts are solved through
(lowest score)
negotiation.
Spain - Men and women should share
equal positions in society.
Portugal
- “Work to live:” longer vacations,
Thailand flexible working hours.
- Arts and healing dominate.
Costa Rica
- Cultural origins required
West Africa cooperation for survival.
- Icon is a community nurturer.
The Middle East
- High number of women in politics.
 Long term vs. Short term Orientation
• Describes a society’s “time horizon” and the importance
attached to the future, past, and/or present.
• Is based on the influence of Confucian thought on a society.

• Long term Orientation:

• persistence
• ordering relationships by status
Scores:
• thrift China (highest)
• having a sense of shame Eastern Nations
Western Nations
Developing Nations
• Short term Orientation:
Pakistan (lowest)
• personal steadiness and stability
• protecting your ‘face’
• respect for tradition
• reciprocation of greetings, favors, and gifts
 North Carolinian Foreign-Born
Population
• From the 2000 Census and the 2005 American Community Survey.
• 5.3% of North Carolina’s population is foreign born.
• 10.7% of Orange County’s population is foreign born.
• 8.0% of North Carolina’s population speaks a language
other than English in the home.
• 11.9% of Orange County’s population speaks a language
other than English in the home.
• The unreported immigrant/alien population of North
Carolina is estimated at 300,000 persons.
• The foreign born population is estimated at 11, 591
people in Orange County.
• Of that, 7, 407 people (in 2005) were not US/ naturalized
citizens.
Foreign-Born Population by Region of Birth

Foreign-Born Population Mexico

226,090

All Other
119,807

South and East

Asia 95,258

Central America
58,037

South America
23,280

the Caribbean
19,403

Middle East
17,468
559,343
 Power I vs. C Uncertainty M vs. F
Distance Avoidance

The United States- 40 91 46 62

Balance of power, high individualism,
innovative but governed by laws,
masculine assertiveness valued.

Mexico- 81 30 82 69
High value on hierarchical relationships
and perpetuates inequality, preference
for conformity to tradition, risk aversion,
masculine assertiveness valued.

China- 80 20 30 66
High value on hierarchical relationships,
conformity expected, group valued
more, risk taken in business, masculine
assertiveness valued.

India- 77 48 40 56
High value on hierarchical relationships,
group valued more, risk in business,
balance of masculine and feminine
traits.
Poland- 68 60 93 64
High value on hierarchical relationships,
conformity expected, group valued
more, risk taken in business, masculine
assertiveness valued.

Russia- 93 39 95 36
High value on authority and hierarchy,
conformity valued, risk avoided in favor
of tradition, “work to live” values
feminine traits.
The United States
Languages: English (de facto official language), with 300 recognized
languages, including 150 indigenous languages, American Sign Language,
Gullah, Creole, Spanish, and French.

Time and Punctuality: Time is strict for business and

professional settings – starting and stopping times are considered
firm. It is expected that changes in appointments and time will
be communicated. In social settings, time is more fluid and
punctuality is suggested but “making an entrance” can be more
important than being prompt.

Education: Public education requirements have

prevented education from becoming a tool of
hierarchy until higher education levels. A “good”
education is increasingly necessary for
professional success, including in technical trades,
and attending the “right” school can help develop
professional opportunities.
Gender Roles:
- “Masculine” country on the Hofstede
index, indicating an intention for
assertive tendencies.
-Traditional gender roles have been/ are
being broken down by legal and social
means.
-Gender equality is largely recognized
with the exceptions of national politics,
asymmetrical warfare, and issues of
equal pay.
-Gender equality is defined as the
ability of women to enter male
dominated professions, not men
entering predominately female
professions.
 Family
-Family structure and composition is diverse.
-Dual-earner and single-head of household families are increasingly common.
-Leaving the family is expected, but family values and expectations are largely defined
by cultural and/or ethnical background.

Feelings of Pride and Shame

- Low score on Hofstede’s
Uncertainty Avoidance scale.
-Risk is taken – innovative is
promoted and rewarded; risk seen as
a necessary consequence of
business.
- Feelings of pride in work and
nation are common, as well as issues
based pride.
-More critical feelings of pride and
shame are a result of cultural/ethnic
background.
Mexico Languages: Spanish (de facto official language), 62
recognized American languages, including Nahuatl, Maya,
Lacandon, Kickapoo, Cherokee and English

Time and Punctuality: Time is fluid and

punctuality is expected but “on-time” -
particularly in social environment - can mean
at least 30 minutes past a stated time. The
pervasive stereotype of “Latin time” is not
an indication of disrespect or laziness but
should be seen as an expression of historic
and cultural beliefs in predestination and the
cyclical nature of life events.

Education: Historically, education was a tool of social

mobility for the non-European populations. At present,
education is valued as an indication of status and
achievement.
 Gender Roles:
-“Masculine” country on the Hofstede index, indicating
an intention for assertive tendencies.
- Specific gender roles historically and culturally
proscribed by the values of machismo and marianismo.
-Machismo promotes masculine dominance over family
and children, self-reliance, and aggression as a tool to
satisfy goals.
-Marianismo promotes feminine spirituality and an
association with the Virgin of Guadalupe and reinforces
domestic roles as preferred jobs.
-Increasing globalization and international economic
exposure is breaking down traditional gender roles
(slowly).
 Family
-Families and communities are united.
-Loyalty to family is absolute,
including protecting and defending
family honor.
-Community can mean an extend
family, a location (city, town, plaza), a
school, etc.
-Working and socializing together is
expected.

Feelings of Pride and Shame

-High score on Hofstede’s Uncertainty Avoidance scale.
-Risk is not taken: history, experience and tradition are respected and followed.
-Strengthening family honor – and not disrespecting the family name - are
important because of the value of family and community.
 PR of China
Languages: Mandarin; Chinese regional dialects including Wu, Yue, Min,
Xiang, Gan and Hakka; Ethnic minorities speak Thai (Zhuang), Mongolian,
Tibetan, Turkic (Uyghur), Hmong, and Korean.

Time and Punctuality: Punctuality is important and

expected. Being late – without an explanation and without
notifying your contact – is considered rude. Punctuality is
also preferred in social gatherings.

Education: Education is highly regarded and

educators are revered. Choice of school and profession
are important, as they are indicators of achievement. A
good education, hard work and an honorable
profession bring respect to one’s family.
 Gender Roles:
-Moderate score on the Hofstede index, following the Communist system principle
of gender equality.
-Historically male dominated society, as dictated by Eastern philosophical values
and Confuciansim.
-As a result of globalization and increased international economic participation,
women are entering prominent positions in business and professional society.
 Family
-The need to belong and conform – to family, community, workgroup – is deeply
rooted in society.
-Family is a primary focus of life – relationships are respected and built on age and
rank. Nuclear families are small (one child policy) but extended families hold great
importance.
-The good of the group is absolute and personal goals are subordinate.
-Guanxi: building and maintaining relationships is paramount to success.
-No actions are undertaken to bring shame on the family.

Feelings of Pride and Shame

-Low score on Hofstede’s Uncertainty
Avoidance scale.
-Risk is undertaken as a consequence of
business.
-Shame is brought on an individual and the
family, and avoiding shame is necessary.
-Actions are undertaken to save face.
 Russia
Languages: Time and Punctuality:
Russian (official Punctuality is important
language); regionally and expected in
spoken languages professional settings and
based on ethnic and appreciated in social
regional groups settings.

Education: Education is highly regarded, especially in the fields of science and math.
Educational institutions and the completion of the educational process are recognized
as the means of obtaining profitable employment.
Feelings of Pride and Shame:
-High score on Hofstede’s Uncertainty Avoidance scale: risk is discouraged in
favor of tradition.
-Pride is based on tradition and culture, accomplishments in academics and
education.
- Tradition of fatalism leads itself to acceptance of outcomes as predetermined.
 Gender Roles
-“Feminine” country on the
Hofstede index, indicating Family
an embrace of nurturing
-Similar to the US, there
actions.
is no one accepted
- Most doctors are
definition of family.
female.
-Family types include
- Similar to China, goal of
non-tradition families,
Communist system was
single-head of household,
gender equality.
extended families, etc.
-“Work to live” values.
-Great respect is paid to
-Femininity valued: the babushkas
allowing door to be held, (grandmothers), and the
chairs pulled out, working babushkas are frequently
in the home, rearing seen as de facto heads of
children. household.
-Attitudes about gender - Most nuclear families
have become less polarized, are small (one child).
and being female can be an
advantage professionally.
 Poland
Languages:
Polish (official language – spoken by 97% of the
population); some Russian and Slavic languages

Time and Punctuality:

Punctuality is important and expected in professional
settings and appreciated in social settings. Staying later
than stated (in social settings) is routine.

Education: Education is highly regarded, and has been a historical goal of Polish
leadership. Post-communist Poland has faced controversy on the role of religion in
education, and a 1991 directive mandated religious education required students to
participate in religious or ethics studies. Moral education is considered to be a
component of public education.

Feelings of Pride and Shame:

-High score on Hofstede’s Uncertainty Avoidance scale: risk is discouraged in favor
of tradition.
-Pride is based on accomplishments, cultural tradition and heritage.
 Gender Roles
-Moderately “masculine” country on the Hofstede
index: learns to assertive tendencies.

- Moving toward gender equality in the post-World

War II period, although legislated gender equality has
been stymied in some cases as a result of the
Communist past.
- Professions such as education and social work are
becoming “feminized” but in most professions women
earn 30% less than man.
-Man see their role as a wage earner and frequently
seek jobs in higher paying professions.
-Society is traditionally – and to some extent still –
male dominated.
 Family
-Emerged during Communist rule as the strengthened center of Polish life.
-The extended family is charged with ensuring the sufficiency of members and helping
those who cannot provide for themselves.
-Women are encouraged to rear children in the home and since the 1990s, the number
of independent daycare providers has fallen significantly.
 When we want culture more than
potatoes, and illumination more than
sugar-plums, then the great resources of a
world are taxed and drawn out, and the
result, or staple production, is not slaves,
nor operatives, but men – those rare fruits
called heroes, saints, poets, philosophers,
and redeemers.
Henry David Thoreau
Life without Principle (1863)