Resources: Notes on Life and Language in the United States

"Culture" is a word that can be defined in so many different ways. So when we talk about how culture causes confusion and challenges between professionals in the workplace, it is sometimes hard to know what that really means. Well, it can mean a lot of different things! In today's article, we will talk about some of the areas where you might run into challenges when you work with colleagues from different parts of the world. By the way, culture is not just about countries! Culture can also vary by region, gender and age! To avoid stereotyping and generalizing, try to think about  where you, as an individual, fall on these dimensions and how that might be different from your colleagues and team members at work.

Why is cultural self- awareness the first and most important step to intercultural competence? Imagine this scenario: You are working as a part of an intercultural team at your workplace in a large, international city like Boston or New York. Your team consists of people of many different ages, backgrounds and cultures. One day there is a misunderstanding between your team members. There is a major problem that needs to be solved but everyone wants to take a different approach to solving the problem. Let's imagine that you fail to reach an agreement and your project and company suffers and probably loses time and money. Looking back on the problem, you might say that it was a logistical problem or a technical issue that prevented you from reaching an agreement. Would you ever consider that culture might have had something to do with it?

Many international professionals wonder what the trick is to English learning success. Are you wondering the same thing? Well I am sorry to tell you that there really is no trick! Building a skill like a language could never happen with a trick or by cutting corners (taking shortcuts). What you need to do when you really want to improve is roll up your sleeves and get working! That means consistent practice. These days, in many different cultures in the world, especially the US, instant gratification is what we look for. We want things right away. The success of Twitter shows us that our attention spans have dwindled to less than 140 characters! Learning a language just doesn't work that way. But that's ok! I think there is something very inspiring about setting a goal and working hard to reach it. Imagine how you will feel when you accomplish your goal. In today's article, I have a few suggestions about how you can consistently practice your English and watch your proficiency increase! Read on!

What challenges are you running into as you adjust to life in Boston? A lot international professionals struggle with American customs such as tipping. Other people have a hard time with their English skills including understanding sales assistants while shopping or doing other everyday tasks. Some graduate students get anxious about their English when it comes to participating in an interview, attending classes or writing a paper. These are all common experiences for newcomers in Boston and they can be very stressful! The good news is, there are solutions for all of these problems! In today's video, listen to stories from newcomers in Boston as they talk about what they struggled with when they first arrived. Also, get some advice on how to deal with these problems if you are experiencing the same thing!

Today I would like to announce a new opportunity to practice your English! Starting in February of 2012, we will be giving away a free English lesson to one member of our Facebook community every month. How does it work? It's simple, we will announce the free lesson on our Facebook wall and if you are the first one to respond, you get the free lesson! The lessons can be held in person if you are in Boston or on Skype if you are anywhere else in the world! How can you increase your chances of winning? Make sure you "like" our Facebook page, and check back every few days to see if the offer is available.

Are you currently learning English in Boston? I met with a student last week who is studying at a large conversation English school and he was feeling discouraged. He said that he couldn't find any opportunities to speak English outside of class and he didn't want to pay for private classes. Have you ever felt this way? Well, you don't have to pay for private classes to get more English practice. Sure, private English classes are right for some people who are busy and have very focused goals that they need to reach for their career or their education in a short period of time. However, if you have a little spare time and if you are not afraid to get out there and take some risks, follow these ideas and just start speaking!

How can English learners become fluent and enjoy the process of learning English?

What are the major cultural communication differences between the US and your country? Many international professionals and university students focus entirely on their English skills and they forget about the ways in which culture influences their communication style. An advanced student of English in the business world or in academia will not be successful in the US without understanding his or her own cultural communication style and having some knowledge of the cultural norms, values, assumptions and communication styles in the United States. In today's post, we have an interview with Hye Jyu, a university student from Korea who is currently studying in the US. She shared some interesting points about how Koreans communicate differently from Americans. Keep reading to learn more and improve your cultural competence!