Intercultural Communication and Chinese Cultural Encounters

Description

This course is designed as a complementary intercultural component alongside language learning courses. It aims to provide learners with opportunities to engage in cross-cultural exchanges beyond the classroom, addressing real-life intercultural questions and reflections that arise during the process of learning Chinese. This course is intended for  students from both Chinese Language Evening Courses (CLEC) and the Chinese Minor programme, enriching the curriculum by integrating cultural experiences as an extension of language learning. The course is additionally also made available for other students who have a keen interest in Chinese culture. 

Purpose

Upon completing the course, students will gain an understanding of key cultural phenomena and their underlying meanings. They will learn to analyse and interpret intercultural situations objectively, develop effective strategies for cross-cultural communication, and strengthen their ability to act as cultural mediators in multilingual and multicultural contexts.

The course also gives the opportunity to join a summer school to China, organised by the VUB.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an informed understanding of selected Chinese cultural practices and their social meanings.
• Apply intercultural analysis to interpret and respond to cultural differences and challenges.
• Develop strategies for effective communication across cultures.
• Enhance their competence as global citizens capable of living, studying, and working in diverse cultural contexts.

Target Learners & Prerequisites

The course is conducted in English and requires no prior knowledge of Chinese. It is open to students from all disciplines who are interested in exploring cultural diversity, intercultural communication, and East-West cultural interactions.

Organisation

Each session lasts 2 hours, combining cultural exploration, intercultural analysis, and open interaction:

• 45 minutes: Cultural background and case study analysis
• 45 minutes: Interactive discussion and intercultural brainstorming
• 30 minutes: Free exchange and networking session (optional for students who need to leave early)

This structure allows for both guided learning and informal intercultural communication, fostering an open environment for reflection and dialogue.

Time: Every two weeks, Friday 17:00–19:00
Venue: [To be announced]

Preliminary course overview (subject to changes):

*The Summer School pre-departure session will be arranged separrately based on travel dates.

Webform

If you're interested in joining the intercultural communication workshop series, you can register with the webform below. 

The regular registration fee is 300 EUR. VUB students and staff, students of the Chinese learning school (CLEC courses) or the Chinese minor programme at VUB can all register at the reduced fee of 200 EUR. 

This reduction to 200 EUR is valid for all students who join in the Spring semester only. 

At the bottom of the form, choose the correct price and add '1' registration.