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《今回のworkshop　》
○workshop参加人数：13名
○【前半】：How do YOU digest English?
○【後半】：Rethink: High-context culture vs. Low-context culture
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≪FIRST HALF≫

＜Agenda＞

How do YOU digest English?

How do YOU digest English, especially while listening and speaking?

Speech comprehension is one of the mysterious processes in our brain, so I would like to pick everyone’s brain regarding their English learning methods. I attached the video of TED talk below, it will guide you to understand easily how our brain works. (It is just 4 minutes long with animation!)

I think most of you have been studying English for more than a few years, some of you are necessary to speak English at your workplace, and some of you may use English at your hobby groups.

As I am one of the English learners, I am so curious about how other English learners who have been involved in English environments for several years understand English when they having a conversation.

“Understanding English” is not clear to explain my feelings, I would say “digest English” instead of “understanding”. For me, having a conversation in English is like same as eating and absorbing nutritions from them.

I want you to reflect on your processes of speech comprehension while having a conversation in English. You may catch the words as language simply, or it could be more visualized images.

In-person, when I was in the beginner level, it always came to mind exactly the words with spellings and meanings. But comparing with myself in the past, currently, some rich images of contexts pop up in my mind usually.

I think you might have found some milestones that obviously to improve your English skills at some points on your path. I believe those events brought you to push up to the next level.

It would be a great idea to share your methods of speech comprehension and milestones in your history. I would love to hear your thoughts of question no.2 or 3.

<Question>

1. What situations are difficult for you when it comes to listening to English speakers?

2. What kinds of situations when you feel to improve your English level? Please share your milestone episodes. 

3. How do you process the speech comprehension in English in your mind? Please share your methods of “digest” English.

<Reference>

≪LATTER HALF≫

＜Agenda＞

Rethink: High-context culture vs. Low-context culture

Have you ever had any difficulties communicating with others in your business or private situation? Have you ever experienced some problems caused by poor communication?

It goes without saying that “communication” is an essential part of our life. In business, better communication would be a key factor to move thing forward smoothly. In addition, a communication skill rank first in a skill list required for graduates. Despite them, classes and workshops on communication are rarely offered. Of course, no one teaches us the terms “high-context culture” and “low-context culture”.

We, Japanese, are said to belong to high-context culture. High-context culture can be described as a “Culture of reading the between lines.” We can somehow communicate with each other by avoiding direct communication and by understanding each other’s intentions. On the other hand, the U.S. is said to belong to a low-context culture. Low-context culture could be paraphrased as “Culture of communicating with explicit words. The communication style puts emphasis on “words” without relying on situation or context. Rigorous, simple, and clear communication is preferred.

It does not matter which communication is better. I hope that this workshop will help you rethink the importance of communication, and give you a cue to move something forward more smoothly in your work and private life tomorrow.

<Question>

1. Have you ever had any difficulties or problems caused by “communication”? Please describe “what happened”.

2. What do you care about when you communicate with others? e.g.; Word choice, timing, etc.

3. Which communication style do you prefer, high-context or low-context? Please explain the reasons.

4.  What would be the best way for a manager to move a project forward smoothly if you were a project leader among team members from high-contest and low context culture? Please create the best idea, and share the one after discussion.

Team members:

A (High context / Japan)

B (High context / China)

C (Low context / America)

D (Low context / Germany)

<Reference>

1.  ハイコンテキストとローコンテキストの文化の違いは何ですか？
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKViQSnW-UA

2.  HIGH AND LOW CULTURAL CONTEXTS

High and Low Cultural Contexts

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