本书对内容做了较大幅度的增添、拓展和深化，以使本书更加充实完整，让使用者有更大的选择自由。将原来整体置于章末的参考解说部分，分别调整到每个Activity之后，以方便对照查阅，节省来回翻检的时间和麻烦。每章末增加了Summary，概括本章主要内容，便于学习者掌握要点。每一章后编写了两类练习。第一类为问答题，通过思考和回答问题帮助学习者复习巩固本章所学内容。第二类为案例分析题，通过对具体生动真实的事例进行分析和讨论，加深对文化的认识，增强跨文化敏感性和实际交际能力，同时激活思维，培养发现、分析和解决问题的能力，提高英语语言表达能力。附录中推荐阅读书目有少量增加，另增加了跨文化交际相关网站网址，以方便教师和有兴趣的学生查找更多相关信息。

本书以传统的篇章结构为纲，以“案例”解读为引导，兼顾理论系统、实际需要与学习的生动有趣，以培养学习者的跨文化交际能力，以及独立思考和批判性思维的能力。

本书的读者对象为英语专业本、专科生，非英语专业已达到大学英语4级的学生，非英语专业研究生，以及程度相当的其他英语学习者和使用者。对涉外工作者亦有积极的参考价值。

Chapter One Communication and Culture

 Ⅰ Warm-up: Look and Say

 Ⅱ  Basics of Communication

Communication: broad types and essential elements

Communication: definition and components

Communication : characteristics

 Ⅲ Understanding Culture

Culture: too familiar to be noticed

Culture : definition

Culture : elements

Culture : characteristics

 Ⅳ Communication and Culture

Communication : culture bound

Communication: high-context and low-context

 REVISION TASKS

Chapter Two Intercultural Communication

 Ⅰ  Warm-up: Read and Say

 Ⅱ  Intercultural Communication

Intercultural communication: definition and levels

Intercultural communication: importance and difficulties

 Ⅲ Overview

 REVISION TASKS

Chapter Three The hidden Core of Culture

 Ⅰ  Warm-up: Read and Say

 Ⅱ  Understanding the Core of Culture

 Ⅲ Recognizing Key Elements in the Core of Culture

The Axial Age and the different cultural spirits

Worldviews

Holistic vs. dualistic worldviews

Values: definition

Values: types

Values: characteristics

 Ⅳ Instruments Comparing Cultural Values

Kluchhohn's value orientations

Hofstede's value dimensions

 V Study of Specific Cultural Values

 REVISION TASKS

Chapter Four Verbal Communication

 Ⅰ  Warm-up: Read and Say

 Ⅱ  Understanding Language

 Ⅲ Language and Culture

The influence of language on culture

The influence of culture on language

Styles of discourse

Discourse patterns and thought patterns

 REVISION TASKS

Chapter Five Nonverbal Communication

 Ⅰ  Warm-up: Look and Say

 Ⅱ  Understanding Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication : definition

Nonverbal communication : importance

Nonverbal communication : functions

 Ⅲ Nonverbal Communication and Culture

 Ⅳ Elements of Nonverbal Communication

Body language

Paralanguage

Environmental language

 REVISION TASKS

Chapter Six Interpersonal Relationships

 Ⅰ  Warm-up: Read and Say

 Ⅱ  Understanding Interpersonal Relationships

 Ⅲ Family Relationships

Family types

Family structures

 Ⅳ Friends and Friendship

 REVISION TASKS

Chapter Seven Social Interaction Customs

 Ⅰ  Warm-up: Read the Say

 Ⅱ  Understanding Social Customs

Forms of address

Greetings and farewell

Compliments and responses

Gratitude and thanks

Invitation

Appointment and visiting

Hospitality

 REVISION TASKS

Chapter Eight Improving Intercultural Competence

 Ⅰ Warm-up: Look and Say

 Ⅱ  Intercultural Communication Competence

 Ⅲ Potential Problems in Intercultural Communication

Cognitive barriers

Stereotyping

Ethnocentrism

Culture shock

 Ⅳ Efforts We Should Make

Knowing ourselves

Appreciating similarities and respecting differences

Developing empathy

Keeping an open mind

 REVISION TASKS

Appendix Ⅰ Book List for Students

Appendix Ⅱ Relevant Websites

References