On The Teaching Of Emotional Factors In Cross-cultural Communication

This thesis tries to call attention to the importance of the affective dimension in intercultural communication. Since English teaching in China has mainly been language-focused, the intercultural communication competence of Chinese students has therefore been neglected. And in the components of a successful intercultural communicator, the affective aspect of the communicator is a key factor. This thesis thus tries to define the affective dimension based on a thorough review of the existing studies on the affective aspect. It maintains that the present IC teaching focus on the cognitive and behavioral aspects of intercultural competence. Therefore it attempts to highlight the affective ways in which students develop intercultural competence and suggest some practical ways to design related teaching. Theoretically, this thesis hopes to provide a comprehensive framework of the affective dimension in intercultural communications to help people deal with cultural difference. Practically, it can serve as a reference for teaching the affective dimension in intercultural communication courses.This thesis consists of three chapters. The first chapter's extensive review provides a general introduction to the existing studies on intercultural communication competency and the affective aspect involved in intercultural interactions. Chapter two continues with an attempt to redefine the affective dimension of intercultural communication and to establish an integrated and comprehensive theoretical framework of the affective dimension. In the third chapter , suggestions will be provided on the teaching of the affective dimension both in teaching methods and ways of evaluating.