How to Become a Cross-Cultural Trainer

It's important to become well-versed in the terms, theories and models that exist to explain culture and that help people understand cultural differences. In this section, I will go over all the most important books in the field of cross-cultural studies, both from a historical perspective and modern-day cultural studies. These books are by no means the only books out there, so I encourage you to discover more. However, this is a good starting place. Happy reading!

In this lecture, you will learn:

• How to do a needs assessment interview of a client you will deliver training for.

• How to set up your course structure based on the results of the interview.

• How to propose a training outline to a client.

In the last lecture, we looked at a sample setup for a cross-cultural course. Now, we will begin going into detail. This lecture explains what to include in the very opening stages of the course. These elements include:

• Course introduction

• Setting expectations

• Introducing yourself and establishing credibility

• Winning introduction activities, including ice-breakers

In this lecture, you will learn about possible course content for the foundations section of your cross-cultural course, or the "Theory and Fundamentals" part, as I call it. Examples of topics could include:

• The definition of culture

• The layers of culture / different types of culture

• The use of models like the iceberg and pyramid

• Different aspects of culture like communication styles and the use of time

• Dimensions like the ones defined by Hofstede and/or Trompenaars

• Methodologies like the Lewis Model or Cultural Detective

• Discussion and lesson on stereotypes and how to eliminate them

For each topic, I go through 1-3 activities that you can use to teach each concept.

Every cross-cultural course needs to have a section about customs and daily habits of different cultures. If your course is meant to prepare participants to work with a specific culture, this section should be geared towards helping them thrive in the target culture. In this section I go over the aspects of culture that could be covered in the customs and daily habits segment of your course:

• Daily habits

• Gestures, use of face and hands

• Business etiquette and meeting protocol

• Socializing, food, and eating habits

• Do's and Don'ts

• Use of personal space and public space

• Superstitions

• Culture shock

I also explain activities and methods for covering the different aspects of culture, including videos and games to use, sample role-plays, group work, presentations, a gallery walk for the following topics and more.

This is the chance for course participants to put it all together: to apply the fantastic learning that you have given them up until this point. In the last segment of the course--the one I call the "Applications" part, I recommend doing the following:

1. Conduct a review of all terms, concepts, principles and theories covered throughout the course.

2. Assign a final task that allows participants to put the learning to use, such as a role-play, case study, or other group project.

3. Perform the final task, provide feedback and discuss it.

3. End the course on a high note!

In this lecture, you will learn:

• Techniques for a successful training

• Creating effective materials

• How you can make your course participants get the most out of your courses

In this lecture, you will learn how to use materials to enhance your courses, and how to motivate your participants. We will discuss:

• Using mixed media

• Making effective materials for the classroom

• How to make your slides catchy

• Preparing yourself effectively

• Ensuring your course is politically correct and gender-sensitive

• Motivating participants through prizes throughout the course

• Encouraging healthy competition

• Providing material and reading recommendations

This section of the course is focused on building your career. In this lecture, I will cover:

• Employment opportunities

• Companies and universities

• Types of roles you could have

• How to find work as a freelancer

• How to find remote/online work

• Promoting yourself

• Setting up a personal business or consultancy

  
  

This lecture is about additional places you could possibly work as a cross-cultural trainer, and how to build an online presence.

About other places you could work, I go over:

• NGOs/charities: refugee programs and cross-border humanitarian projects

• Diversity and inclusion training / integration with cross-cultural skills training

• Goverment bodies dealing with immigration and business

• Branches of the UN

Regarding how to develop on online presence, I cover:

• Setting up a personal website

• LinkedIn profile, groups, and networking on LinkedIn

• Facebook page and groups

• Other social media platforms

• Digital marketing strategy

• Remote working

This is the final lecture of the course, in which you will learn how much money you can earn. We will discuss:

• Corporate cross-cultural training rates as an external consultant

• Daily rates through a cross-cultural training company

• Daily rates through direct-hire assignments

• Hourly rates

• Material fees                                                                                                                                                                                                               

  
  

  Conclusion to the course: this is a career which can allow you to expand your horizons, earn more money, help people get along better, teach valuable skills, travel the world, meet amazing people along the way, and have unforgettable experiences. I wish you all the best of luck!