The multicultural workplace is often a place where language differences collide, creating confusion and misunderstanding. In this training segment, native speakers of English learn how they unknowingly erect communication barriers and contribute to communication breakdown with non-native speakers of English, and how they can quickly and easily modify their speech patterns in ways that make their speech clearer and more comprehensible to non-native speakers of English. Participants learn very specific, effective strategies that are instrumental in preventing communication breakdown, as well as communication repair strategies in the event that breakdown has already occurred.

In the multicultural workplace, breakdown usually occurs for one of three reasons: language, culture or personality. Participants learn how to rule out language and culture before assigning a problem to personality. Included in this segment is the introduction of the three pivotal rules for creating an environment of sound communication, inclusion, and trust. These rules are then reinforced in the following segment, Culture-Based Value Systems.

This training is effective for professionals who work face-to-face with multicultural teams and for those who serve international guests. It is also particularly valuable to those in customer service or help-desk roles whose communication is strictly over the phone.