• adelaide

Introduction to Cultural Intelligence

Succeed in a culturally diverse context as you explore different cultural behaviours and develop your cultural intelligence.

652 enrolled on this course

A diverse group of coworkers setting round a desk with a worker in the foreground
  • Duration

    4 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours
  • Accreditation

    AvailableMore info
The CPD Certification Service

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies. Find out more.

Improve your cultural intelligence (CQ) with the University of Adelaide

Cultural intelligence (CQ) increases the chances of successful negotiations and can help prevent misinterpreting the behaviour of others who are culturally different.

On this four-week course, you’ll learn how to thrive in a culturally diverse context, whether this diversity comes from nationality, ethnicity, organisation, or generation.

You’ll learn to move past your own ‘cultural lens’ to develop your cultural intelligence and adapt to different culturally diverse situations, such as working with overseas clients.

Explore cultural tendencies with theories from Edward Hall and Geert Hofstede

To help increase your cultural intelligence, you’ll delve into the TRAFIC model, based largely on the theory of Edward Hall and Geert Hofstede.

With this tool, you’ll explore the cultural behavioural trends of the majority of people in world cultures and how to progress from low CQ to high CQ.

Unpack managed time vs flexible time

You’ll investigate different attitudes towards time and how managed or flexible time can highlight differences between people.

As you explore how trust can be established in different ways, you’ll delve into rules vs relationships as well as authority and hierarchy to help you predict behaviour in a work environment.

Explore individualism vs collectivism

You’ll learn the difference between individualism and collectivism and unpack how people may behave differently according to their individualist or collectivist values.

Finally, you’ll explore indirect vs direct communication style. With this knowledge, you’ll understand the workplace implications that can come from different communication styles.

By the end, you’ll be able to identify unconscious biases and workplace values and how you might positively influence behaviour in culturally diverse contexts.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 9 seconds We all work in culturally diverse environments. Have you ever misjudged the behaviour of others who are culturally different? My name is Antoinette Severino from the University of Adelaide and we designed this course Introduction to Cultural Intelligence to help you navigate these delicate nuances in the workplace. Culture has built-in values that are spoken and unspoken, seen and unseen. These are values that you’re expected to know. Ultimately, your success depends on cultural intelligence to not just survive, but to thrive. Cultural Intelligence leads to operational success. Enrol today in Introduction to Cultural Intelligence at the University of Adelaide.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Course introduction and time

    • Getting started

      This section includes all the information you will need to get started in this course.

    • Introduction to Week 1

      By the end of this activity, you will have an overview of this week's learning content and activities.

    • What is cultural intelligence?

      By the end of this activity, you will be able to describe the concept of cultural intelligence, and apply this knowledge to your future learning on how cultural values can interact in different contexts.

    • The TRAFIC model

      By the end of this activity, you will be able to describe the TRAFIC model and discuss your observations on cultural values in relation to it.

    • Managed vs flexible time

      By the end of this activity, you will be able to identify the different ways that cultures value time, and reflect on your own attitudes towards time.

    • Bringing it all together

      Let's reflect on what we've covered this week and take a look at what's coming up next.

  • Week 2

    Rules and authority

    • Introduction to Week 2

      By the end of this activity, you will have an overview of this week's learning content and activities.

    • Rules vs relationships

      By the end of this activity, you will be able to identify how different cultures form trust through rules or relationships, reflect on your own preferences and apply your knowledge in an interactive branching scenario.

    • Authority - hierarchy vs egalitarianism

      By the end of this activity, you will be able to describe how different cultures value authority, and reflect on and discuss scenarios that demonstrate hierarchical and egalitarian approaches to valuing authority.

    • Bringing it all together

      Let's reflect on what we've covered this week and take a look at what's coming up next.

  • Week 3

    Formality and individualism

    • Introduction to Week 3

      By the end of this activity, you will have an overview of this week's learning content and activities.

    • Formality vs informality

      By the end of this activity, you will be able to identify the different ways that cultures value formality and informality, and discuss both your own and your culture's attitude towards formality.

    • Individualism vs collectivism

      By the end of this activity, you will be able to describe how different cultures value individualism and collectivism, identify how these values can cause conflict between individuals, and reflect on your own values.

    • Bringing it all together

      Let's reflect on what we've covered this week and take a look at what's coming up next.

  • Week 4

    Communication and course conclusion

    • Introduction to Week 4

      By the end of this activity, you will have an overview of this week's learning content and activities.

    • Communication - direct vs indirect

      By the end of this activity, you will be able to describe how different cultures value communication on a continuum between direct and indirect, and reflect on how you communicate, as well as others in your culture.

    • Bringing it all together

      Let's reflect on what we've covered this week and take a look at what's coming up next.

    • What's next?

      Let's reflect on the learning explored in the course, and consider where to apply and further build on your new skills and knowledge.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Reflect on unconscious biases and how they might impact interactions in culturally diverse contexts.
  • Apply effective verbal and non-verbal communication in culturally diverse contexts.
  • Identify your own (un)conscious biases and how they might impact your interactions in culturally diverse environments.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in developing their cultural intelligence.

It will be particularly of interest if your organisation requires cultural intelligence awareness training or you work with overseas clients.

Who will you learn with?

I am the Cultural Intelligence Programs Coordinator at the University of Adelaide and run an extra-curricular, intercultural program for our students using Cultural Intelligence as core concept.

Simon Futo is the General Manager for the University of Adelaide’s English Language Centre (ELC) and has over 25 years experience of working in the ELICOS sector.

Ashleigh Mercury is a certified trainer in Cultural Intelligence and is the International Partnerships Coordinator for the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology at the University of Adelaide

Who developed the course?

The University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide is a world-class teaching and research institution. They are committed to developing quality students and lifelong learners who are recognised for their skills, creativity, global outlook and ability to succeed.

  • World ranking

    Top 110Source: QS World University Rankings 2023

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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