Intercultural Sourcebook Vol 1: Cross-Cultural Training Methods

by Sandra M. Fowler, Monica G. Mumford

Nothing could be more timely than the publication of this revised edition of the Intercultural Sourcebook . The 1979 edition reflected the new field of cross-cultural training, at that time searching for focus and direction. This new edition embodies the progress made in that search, systematically defining the field's parameters and offering concrete examples of the methods and techniques currently employed by its practitioners.

Intercultural Sourcebook will be a "must have" not only for educators and trainers concerned with intercultural learning or the development of cross-cultural skills, but for anyone who wishes to comprehend fully what these processes involve. Comprehensive in scope, the book examines both the principal methods used in cross-cultural training and a selection of specialized techniques and instructional devices.

In this, the first of a two-volume set, six methods are examined in twenty role plays, contrast-culture training, simulation games, critical incidents, the cultural assimilator, and case studies. In each, a lead article traces the development and use of the particular method; several articles then offer specific applications. Intercultural Sourcebook provides both a framework for conceptualizing the training methods covered and resources for applying them in one's own work. Each article is written by an experienced trainer; in fact, the author list comprises the core of a who's who in the field.

Thorough, practical, and enlightening, this book will define the field for years to come.

252 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1995

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to get ideas while putting together a training programme on interciltural communication. Published in 1995, it's hopelessly out of date, particularly when talking about "modern" demographics and computer technology. Additionally, it often discusses training materials you have to buy before you can use, so it loses a lot if you haven't got those tools to hand for reference. And because it's written for novice facilitators, I knew a lot of the techniques already. Even so, it still offered some useful titbits. It will remind readers just how naive most people are about culture and its effects on behaviour. Whatever we think is "normal", "polite", or "appropriate" is not so to somebody else, but this doesn't really hit home until you visit another country, where social norms are different for everybody around you rather than one person in front of you. This is, of course, why we offer this kind of training - to help people adapt to new ways of thinking and doing, and to be more understanding about those visiting you or immigrating to your home country.