Cultural understanding is a highly valued skill in today’s globalized world. In IELTS Speaking, you may be asked to describe someone who possesses a deep understanding of different cultures. This topic has appeared in past IELTS exams and is likely to remain relevant in future tests. Let’s explore how to effectively answer questions related to this topic and maximize your speaking score.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this section, the examiner may ask you general questions about cultural understanding. Here’s a sample question with a suggested answer:
Q: Do you think it’s important to understand different cultures?
A (Band 7-8): Absolutely! I believe understanding different cultures is crucial in today’s interconnected world. It helps us broaden our perspectives and foster empathy towards people from diverse backgrounds. Moreover, cultural understanding can be invaluable in professional settings, especially when working in multinational companies or dealing with international clients.
Describe a place in your country where you experienced a different culture can be an excellent way to demonstrate your cultural awareness and appreciation for diversity.
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:
Describe a person who has a deep understanding of different cultures
You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you know this person
- What this person does
- And explain why you think this person has a deep understanding of different culturesSample Answer (Band 8-9):
I’d like to talk about my former university professor, Dr. Sarah Thompson, who has an extraordinary grasp of various cultures worldwide. I first met her when I took her “Global Cultural Studies” course during my second year of college.
Dr. Thompson is a cultural anthropologist who has spent over two decades conducting fieldwork in different countries across Asia, Africa, and South America. Her extensive travels and immersive experiences have given her unparalleled insights into the nuances of diverse cultures.
What sets Dr. Thompson apart is her ability to draw connections between seemingly disparate cultural practices and explain them in a way that’s both intellectually stimulating and accessible. She often shares anecdotes from her fieldwork that illuminate the underlying values and beliefs of different societies.
I believe Dr. Thompson has a deep understanding of different cultures for several reasons. Firstly, her academic background and years of research have provided her with a solid theoretical framework for analyzing cultural phenomena. Secondly, her firsthand experiences living among various communities have given her practical insights that go beyond textbook knowledge. Lastly, her genuine curiosity and respect for different ways of life allow her to approach each culture with an open mind, free from prejudice or preconceived notions.
Dr. Thompson’s cultural expertise not only enriches her teaching but also contributes significantly to cross-cultural dialogue and understanding in academic circles and beyond.
Cultural anthropologist conducting fieldwork
Follow-up Questions
Q: How has Dr. Thompson’s cultural understanding influenced her students?
A (Band 7-8): Dr. Thompson’s profound cultural knowledge has had a significant impact on her students. She has inspired many of us to broaden our horizons and challenge our preconceptions about different cultures. Her teachings have encouraged students to approach cultural differences with curiosity and respect, rather than judgment or fear.
A (Band 8-9): Dr. Thompson’s extensive cultural understanding has been transformative for her students. She has an exceptional ability to cultivate cultural empathy among her pupils, encouraging us to view the world through multiple cultural lenses. Her vivid anecdotes and nuanced explanations of cultural practices have sparked a passion for cross-cultural exploration in many students, myself included. Moreover, she has equipped us with invaluable tools for navigating cultural differences in our personal and professional lives, which is increasingly crucial in our globalized world.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Q: How can people develop a better understanding of different cultures?
A (Band 6-7): People can improve their understanding of different cultures by traveling to other countries, reading books about different cultures, and watching documentaries. It’s also helpful to make friends with people from other cultures and try different types of food from around the world.
A (Band 8-9): Developing a profound understanding of different cultures requires a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, immersive experiences such as living abroad or participating in cultural exchange programs can provide invaluable firsthand insights. Additionally, engaging with diverse cultural products – literature, films, art, and music – can offer deep perspectives into the values and worldviews of different societies. It’s also crucial to cultivate genuine curiosity and empathy, actively seeking out conversations with people from diverse backgrounds and practicing active listening. Furthermore, learning a foreign language can unlock nuances of cultural expression that might otherwise be lost in translation. Lastly, critically examining one’s own cultural biases and assumptions is essential for developing a truly open-minded approach to cultural differences.
Describe a time when you were proud of your cultural heritage can be an excellent way to demonstrate your own cultural awareness and appreciation while discussing this topic.
Q: What are some challenges people face when trying to understand different cultures?
A (Band 6-7): Some challenges include language barriers, which can make communication difficult. People might also have stereotypes or prejudices that are hard to overcome. Different customs and traditions can be confusing, and it can be hard to understand why people do things differently.
A (Band 8-9): Understanding different cultures presents several complex challenges. Firstly, overcoming ethnocentrism – the tendency to view one’s own culture as superior – requires significant self-reflection and conscious effort. Additionally, cultural nuances and implicit social norms can be extremely subtle and difficult to grasp without prolonged exposure. Language barriers can also impede deep understanding, as many cultural concepts may not have direct translations. Furthermore, the dynamic nature of cultures means that they are constantly evolving, making it challenging to keep up with changes. Lastly, the intersection of globalization and local traditions often creates hybrid cultural forms that can be particularly complex to navigate and understand.
Illustration of cultural misunderstanding
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
Cross-cultural competence /krɒs ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈkɒmpɪtəns/ (noun): The ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures.
Example: “Her cross-cultural competence made her an invaluable asset in international negotiations.”Cultural relativism /ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈrelətɪvɪzəm/ (noun): The principle of viewing and understanding a culture on its own terms without making judgments based on one’s own cultural standards.
Example: “Practicing cultural relativism helped him appreciate the logic behind unfamiliar customs.”Ethnocentric /ˌeθnəʊˈsentrɪk/ (adjective): Evaluating other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of one’s own culture.
Example: “He realized his initial reaction to the ritual was ethnocentric and strived to approach it with an open mind.”Cultural intelligence (CQ) /ˈkʌltʃərəl ɪnˈtelɪdʒəns/ (noun): The capability to relate and work effectively across cultures.
Example: “Her high cultural intelligence allowed her to adapt quickly to the new work environment abroad.”Intercultural communication /ˌɪntəˈkʌltʃərəl kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən/ (noun): The study and practice of communication across different cultures and social groups.
Example: “Effective intercultural communication is crucial for success in multinational corporations.”
Examiner’s Advice
To achieve a high score in IELTS Speaking when discussing cultural understanding:
- Use a range of sophisticated vocabulary related to culture and anthropology.
- Provide specific examples to illustrate your points, drawing from personal experiences or knowledge of different cultures.
- Demonstrate critical thinking by discussing both the benefits and challenges of cultural understanding.
- Use complex sentence structures and idiomatic expressions naturally in your responses.
- Show awareness of global issues related to cultural diversity and integration.
Remember, describing a place in your country that you find mysterious can also be an excellent opportunity to showcase your cultural knowledge and language skills in the IELTS Speaking test.
By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you can significantly improve your performance in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when discussing topics related to cultural understanding and diversity.