Open Forum 1

Web Site Transcript

Chapter 1
Hi! I’d like to welcome all of you to the Here’s another one. Americans shake hands
international student orientation at Norwalk firmly when they greet each other because to
College. I hope that your travels from your home Americans, a firm handshake signifies strength
country have been easy and that you all are and power. But a soft or limp handshake is
settling in well. I believe I’ve met everyone, but considered a sign of weakness. In some
just in case, I’m the director for international cultures, handshakes are less common, or a
student affairs—the person you can come to if gentle, soft handshake is acceptable. So
you are having problems with your classes, your students need to know that when shaking
housing, visas… even if you just want someone to hands, it’s important to be firm.
talk to.You are always welcome to stop by my
office. In America, a “thumbs up” sign—a thumb
raised in the air—is a sign of a good job. Also,
We’ll have several short workshops today and a thumb and forefinger together with the
will be talking about some common issues other fingers straight
that international students face. The first one means “okay.” Be careful though. In other
that I want to deal with is about countries like Germany, Brazil, or Japan this
communication, and in particular, non-verbal “okay” symbol can have other meanings. So be
communication. aware of who you’re talking to when you use
Now all of you have been studying English for this gesture.
some time. You have a good vocabulary, and you Here’s another important one. In America,
probably know all about verb tenses and holding hands and kissing are reserved for
modals, and can ask directions, and order from people in love. In fact, Americans generally do
a menu. But communication is not only verbal. not touch each other, and they like to keep
That is, talking is not the only language we use distance between them and the person who
to communicate. Another way we communicate they’re speaking with. But there are many
is through non-verbal communication, or body exceptions.
language. For instance, friends, especially women, might
The term body language means the hug when saying goodbye, and small children
movements we use and the facial expressions often hold hands.
we have (like smiling or frowning), the way we I’m going to hand out a list of some common
sit or stand, the way we touch or look at examples of non-verbal communication that
someone, the distance we stand from another are specific to American culture. Now, I don’t
person. Some psychologists say that more than want you to panic.
60% You don’t need to know all of these
of our communication is actually done through examples of body language. It’s more
body language. We do it without thinking, or important just to be aware of differences in
without ever having been specifically taught body language between cultures. If
what the gestures or expressions mean. The
problem is that body language is a little bit you’re not sure what a gesture means, it’s okay
different in each culture and this can often to ask.
cause some problems with communication. Oh! I forgot an important example of body
Here’s an example. In many places it may be language. If ever you’re worried about your
a little rude or disrespectful to look at ability to communicate, there is one gesture
another person directly in their eyes as you that is the same in every country.
talk with them, so many Everywhere around the world, people use the
international students will avoid this eye contact. smile to communicate pleasure and
But in America, we expect it. We think of eye happiness. So smile as often as you want to,
contact as a sign of honesty and straight- because it is an expression understood by
forwardness. American parents actually everyone!
encourage their children to look people in the Now, our next speaker is Molly Wilcox. She’s
eye when speaking. Just imagine a conversation the head of the ESL department. And she’ll
where an international student was trying to be tell you about the ESL courses and the
respectful by not looking into the eyes of her placement exam. Thank you very much for
American classmate. The American might your attention.
wonder why her classmate wouldn’t look directly
at her, and the international classmate would be
wondering why she was being stared at. The end
result is an awkward and frustrating interaction.
Open Forum 1 www.oup.com/elt/openforum © Oxford University Press
2007