LIC - intercultural workshop - Intercultural Sensitivity - PLENARY

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Languages in context
Intercultural workshop

Plenary


15-04-2026

Intercultural sensitivity

• 45min in plenary – Theory

• 90min in groups - Assignment

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Based on the book Intercultural sensitivity From Denial to Intercultural Competence from Carlos Nunez, Raya Nunez Mahdi and Laura Popma. 5th edition, 2021.

The Growth process in Intercultural Sensitivity

• First semester, we learnt:

  • how culture determined the way we think, feel and act.

  • how we evaluate people’s behaviour according to our own cultural frame of reference.

  • your own basic assumptions and your cultural “programming”, as well as the basic assumptions of people with a different cultural frame reference.
    

• You are interculturally sensitive => looking at different cultures without cultural bias (=the phenomenon of interpreting and judging phenomena by standards inherent to one’s own culture.)

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During the first semester you learnt how culture determined the way we think, feel and act. And how we evaluate people’s behaviour according to our own cultural frame of reference. You became more aware of your own basic assumptions and your cultural “programming”, as well as the basic assumptions of people with a different cultural frame reference. You are interculturally sensitive if you are able to look at different cultures from their cultural frame of reference, rather than yours. Or in other ways, without cultural bias (=the phenomenon o

The Growth process in Intercultural Sensitivity

• The intercultural sensitivity model of the American interculturalists Janet and Milton Bennett (2002).

The development of intercultural sensitivity is a dynamic process in 6 stages: from denial via defence and minimization on to acceptance, adaptation and integration or intercultural competence.

The first three stages take an ethnocentric approach to culture; the last three are ethnorelatives.

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Put the 6 stages of the intercultural sensitivity model of Janet and Milton Bennett (2002) in the right order.

1

Defence/Polarization

2

Adaptation

3

Acceptance

4

Denial

5

Intergration/Intercultural Competence

6

Minimization

Match the words with their definition

You are able to place your own culture within the context of other cultures.

You regard your own culture as the point of reference, evaluating other cultures through your own cultural glasses.

Ethnocentric approach

Ethnorelative approach

The 6 stages of cultural sensitivity

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Ethnocentric stages

Denial

Unawareness or avoidance of cultural differences. We think that culture are all the same. Or we are not really aware of culture differences.

Defense/Polarization

Recognizing differences but seeing them as threatening. We are aware of differences, but in a dualistic them versus us way. Ours and all those others. Other cultures are seen as threatening and inferior.

Minimization

Acknowledging superficial differences but assuming similarities. We still see our own norms and values as universal, rather than as cultural programming. We interpret other cultures through our own cultural glasses. We will want to change them or help them change so they'll be more like us.

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Ethnorelative stages

Acceptance

Recognizing and respecting cultural differences in values and behavior. We see these as source of new ideas and solutions to problems. It is the beginning of cultural relativism. Knowledge level, not yet in the practice.

Adaptation

Developing the ability to shift perspectives and behave appropriately in different cultures. We are able to evaluate a different culture from the frame of reference of that culture. We can empathize and adjust behavior to fit the cultural context.

Integration/Intercultural Competence

Moving between cultures with ease and integrating multiple cultural worldviews. Ability to hold multiple cultural perspectives simultaneously and mediate between them. You have a bicultural or intercultural identity, you know your limits and it doesn't confuse you.

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Drag and Drop

Minimization

Denial

Acceptance

Defence/Polarization

Integration/Intercultural Competence

Adaptation

In which stage is the person who is recognizing and respecting cultural differences?

A

Denial

B

Defence/Polarization

C

Minimization

D

Acceptance

In which stage is the person who is unaware or avoiding of cultural differences?

A

Denial

B

Defence/Polarization

C

Minimization

D

Acceptance

In which stage is the person who is developing the ability to shift perspectives and behave appropriately in different cultures.?

A

Adaptation

B

Integration/intercultural competence

C

Minimization

D

Acceptance

In which stage is the person who says "They are taking our jobs."

A

Denial

B

Defence/Polarization

C

Minimization

D

Acceptance

In which stage is the person who says "They are doing their best to learn my language. It's high time I try and learn their language too!"

A

Integration/Intercultural Competence

B

Adaptation

C

Minimization

D

Acceptance

In which stage is the person who says "We all drink Cola."

A

Denial

B

Defence/Polarization

C

Minimization

D

Acceptance

In which stage is the person who says "We're equal but not the same."

A

Denial

B

Defence/Polarization

C

Minimization

D

Acceptance

In which stage is the person who says "Going on an intership to Finland? Oh, just be yourself and everything will be fine."

A

Denial

B

Integration/Intercultural Competence

C

Minimization

D

Adaptation

In which stage is the person who says "My management skills have improved since I use multiple frames of reference."

A

Adaptation

B

Integration/Intercultural Competence

C

Minimization

D

Acceptance

Strategies for moving from one stage to another

From denial -> defense

Goal: notice the cultural differences that actually exist.

A person says: "Everyone here speaks English, so why learn another language?"

Strategy: Start with low-stakes cultural encounters (food, music, festivals)

From defense -> minimization

Goal: Reduce the perceived threat of cultural differences

Someone reacts negatively to cultural practices, saying "that's werid" or "our way is better."

Strategies: Learn about the historical and social context behind cultural practice - Challenge stereotypes by seeking counter-examples.

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Strategies for moving from one stage to another

From minimization -> acceptance

Goal: Move beyond surface-level tolerance to genuine curiosity.

A person says: “We all want the same things in life.”

Strategies: Learn about cultural values - Take implicit bias assessments

From acceptance -> adaptation

Goal: Develop the skill to actually shift behavior across cultures

Someone says, “I don’t understand why they do that, but I respect it.”

Strategies: Learn another language (even basics build empathy) - Practice perspective-taking exercises.

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Strategies for moving from one stage to another

From adaptation -> integration/intercultural competences

Goal: Weave multiple cultural frames into your identity.

Example: A person adjusts their communication style or behavior to fit a different cultural context, such as using indirect language in a culture that values politeness.

Strategies: Engage in deep, long-term immersion in another culture – Practice empathy to try see situations from other’s perspectives.

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Assignment

• Intercultural Sensitivity Role Play

Aim to demonstrate the 6 stages of intercultural sensitivity. And to conclude how ethnocentric and culturally biased attitudes are not effective in getting things done, whereas interculturally sensitive attitudes creates more innovative ideas and better solutions.

Time: 80 minutes

Steps: 8

Role play using the stages.

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Groups, rooms and teachers

Group 1: Marion classroom E3.006

Group 2: Markus classroom E3.064

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Thank you

Merci

Gracias

Dank je wel

Danke