Cross Cultural Communications

Vicki Vogel, Langara College

This workshop is for people who wonder "what are the barriers?" when communicating across cultures. We will look at the variety and complexity of oral communication styles and some of the challenges that arise when different communication styles meet.

  • Recognize different communication styles (such as high and low context and direct and indirect communication)
  • Identify cultural values (such as individualism and collectivism and high versus low power distance) that influence communication styles and preference.

Vicki taught ESL in Japan before coming to Langara, where she founded the Langara English for Academic Purposes (LEAP) program, now one of the largest and most reputable academic English programs in the province. She is currently the Director of the Langara Language Training Centre, which includes LEAP, LEPP (part time ESL), and Modern Languages