LESSON 3 — Cultural Differences in the Workplace
50 Minutes
Lesson Objectives
Students will:
- discuss workplace cultural expectations
- practice professional communication strategies
- participate in multicultural meeting simulations
Lesson Flow
1. Warm-Up Discussion (5 minutes)
Teacher Questions
- “What makes a workplace professional?”
- “Do all countries have the same workplace rules?”
2. Workplace Culture Lecture (10 minutes)
Topics
- hierarchy vs equality
- teamwork styles
- meeting participation
- decision-making
- work-life balance
- feedback styles
Teacher Explanation Script
“In some countries, employees openly disagree with managers. In other cultures, disagreement may be considered disrespectful.
Understanding these differences improves teamwork.”
3. Useful Business Expressions (8 minutes)
Repetition Practice
Teacher models expressions. Students repeat.
4. Group Activity — International Team Meeting (20 minutes)
Scenario
A multicultural team must decide:
- project deadline
- meeting schedule
- presentation style
Each student receives a cultural communication style card.
Example Styles
- very direct
- quiet but thoughtful
- avoids disagreement
- highly punctual
- relationship-focused
Sample Meeting Script
Student A
“I think we should finish the project earlier.”
Student B
“That may be difficult for our team.”
Student C
“Could we discuss a more flexible schedule?”
Student D
“I agree. We should consider everyone’s work style.”
Teacher Monitoring Notes
Observe:
- turn-taking
- respectful language
- teamwork
- negotiation language
5. Wrap-Up (7 minutes)
Debrief Questions
- “What communication style was easiest?”
- “Which style was challenging?”
- “How can we become better global communicators?”
Homework
Prepare a short presentation:
“Three tips for successful cross-cultural communication.”
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