Culturally Appropriate Training - How to Do It Right!

The work world and global marketplace are quickly becoming more and more multi-cultural. In these settings and with these groups of trainees, culturally appropriate training (CAT) can and should be followed to ensure that the training is well-received and does not "backfire" due to cultural differences. Training development and delivery need to incorporate certain principles of CAT and avoid other inappropriate methods. In this paper, we will examine these including:

• Using language as an ice-breaker
• Learning objectives (for the original presentation as well as this paper)
• Adult learning principles (ALPs – as a "given")
• Diversity training (as a "given")
• Various definitions of "culture"
• Elements of culture
• Examples of culture
• CAT and its definition
• Valuable traits for CAT trainers
• How to prepare for CAT
• Involving others in CAT
• Do's and don'ts for CAT
• Culturally inappropriate training (CIT)
• Great quote on "culture"

• Describe the basic principles of good training/adult learning
• Define "culture" and "culturally appropriate training" ("CAT")
• Describe what research should take place before CAT
• Explain the importance of involving the "persons of culture" in CAT
• Explain the use of CAT surveys
• Approach trainees just before their CAT course
• List three each do's and don'ts of culturally appropriate training
• Explain the pitfalls of culturally inappropriate training (CIT)
• Develop culturally appropriate training

Good training and adult learning principles (ALPs)
If we're going to engage in CAT or any training for that matter, it should be a "given" that it will be good training, and we will use good adult learning principles (ALPs). Good training is good training no matter what type it is – EHS, CAT, OJT, or any other. These ALPs include (but are by no means limited to) the following:

• Self-directed: Adult learners are very self-directed.
• Immediate need or nature: Adult learners prefer their training to be about things of an immediate nature or need.
• Directly applicable: The topic and materials should be directly applicable to them.
• Involved in setting the agenda: Adult learners prefer to be directly involved in setting the agenda.
• Draw on their experiences: Adult learners like to draw on their work and life experiences.
• Solve problems: Adult learners are problem-solvers.
• Flexibility in discussions: Adult learners prefer that the discussions and trainer are flexible to accommodate their self-directedness.
• Participation: Adult learners like to participate in the training – often a lot!

Diversity training
Similarly to the given of good training and ALPs above, it is another "given" that CAT should include but be more than diversity training. Good diversity training typically might include the following elements:

• We're all different…yet we're all the same
• We have different values…but we should value our differences
• We should embrace diversity… and be aware of various legal issues such as discrimination.

• What is your definition of "culture"?
• What is the dictionary definition of "culture"?
• What is or are your culture(s) – how do you self-identify with your own culture
• What are some types and examples of culture(s)?
• What is your definition of "culture"?

Before we look at others' definitions of "culture," take a minute to consider and/or formulate your definition of culture. What exactly is culture? What are some examples of culture? Got it all set? Excellent! Let's take a look at some others now.

What is a good dictionary type definition of "culture"?
Rather than an actual dictionary definition, let's look at a couple of textbook definitions. Both of these are from Associate Professor, Ifte Choudhury, at Texas A&M University (TAMU). Professor Choudhury defines "culture" as:

"Culture refers to the cumulative deposit of knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes, meanings, hierarchies, religion, notions of time, roles, spatial relations, concepts of the universe, and material objects and possessions acquired by a group of people in the course of generations through individual and group striving."

Certainly a comprehensive definition, albeit hardly a good "working" one that we can easily get our arms (or brains) around. Fortunately, he also has a good working definition.

"A culture is a way of life of a group of people--the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thinking about them, and that are passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next."

A much simpler one that likely works in most situations. Well, now that we have adequately defined culture, let's look at some examples of it.

What is or are your culture(s)?

How do you self-identify your own culture(s)? What types, elements, and/or examples do you use for yourself?

Types and examples of culture

• Ethnicity
• Native country
• Language
• Race or Creed
• Color
• Religion
• Gender
• Sexual orientation
• Age

Some not so obvious culture types include the following:

• Locale (e.g., Texas culture, West coast culture, etc.)
• Disability (e.g., "Deaf culture")
• Politics (e.g., Conservative, Liberal, Green, etc.)
• Eating (e.g., vegan, etc.)
• Consumerism (e.g., "got to have it now" culture)
• Hobbies/Activities (e.g., Model railroaders)
• Profession (e.g., Safety culture?)
• Education (e.g., College degree, various colleges, etc.)

• White
• Middle-aged
• Male
• Baby Boomer
• Health-conscious
• IH/EHS

• CAT - what is it?
• What are some valuable traits to have if doing CAT?
• How do you prepare for CAT?
• How do you involve others in CAT?
• What are the dos and don'ts of CAT?
• If there is CAT, is there also Culturally Inappropriate Training (CIT)?
• Do you have any remaining questions regarding CAT?

CAT – what is it?

So, finally, we get to our discussion about CAT itself – but what exactly is CAT? Here are some good, "working" definitions of CAT. The first is from Australia and is regarding their Aboriginal persons, whereas the others are from the National Library of Medicine (NLM). CAT is…

• "…developed and delivered in a way that takes account of a learner's cultural background and needs." – Australian National Training Authority (ANTA)
• "…based in the traditional and cultural values of (Aboriginal) people." – NLM.
• "…adapted and presented in a way which is both understandable and respectful of cultural diversity." – NLM.

What are some valuable traits to have?

If you are going to develop and/or deliver CAT, here are some valuable traits to have. These come from Terence Brake of Transnational Management Associates, Ltd. (TMA) at www.tmaworld.com.

• Adaptability
• Cooperation
• Curiosity and…Learning
• Empathy
• Friendliness
• Objectivity
• Patience
• "Perspectiveness"
• Resilience
• Self-Awareness

How do you prepare for CAT?
Finally, getting prepared to develop and/or deliver some CAT – how should you prepare for it? Here are some ways to start.

• Learn – as much as you can about their culture
• Ask – permission/if ok to do CAT
• Buy-in – get it from respected members (e.g., tribal elders)
• Survey – both the trainees and stakeholders
• Involve – the persons of culture
• Embrace – their culture (as appropriate)
• Empathy – "Walk a mile in their shoes"

Involving others – how do you do it?
Clearly, the most important aspect of CAT is the involvement of the cultural group or individuals. Here are some ways to go about it.

• Get buy-in from respected members of their culture (e.g., tribal elders).
• Have them help develop various training approaches and methods.
• Have them deliver the training as co-trainers or as the sole trainers (without you).
• Use surveys of both the trainees and stakeholders.
• Approach trainees just before class. At the least, you can do this, but not as a substitute for any of the above.

What are the "dos" of CAT?

Obviously, there things that a trainer can and should do when doing CAT. Here's a list of some common ones.

• Be prepared
• Involve them
• Show respect
• Learn their culture
• It their way
• Give them ownership of it
• Your research/HW
• Ask questions

• Use clichés!
• Be condescending!
• Make jokes!
• Do it your way!
• Use pop culture references!
• Assume!
• Pretend to be "them"!
• Give up!

There are various other ones that are specific to various cultures (e.g., Latino, Chinese, Native Tribes, etc.).

Is there "Culturally Inappropriate Training" (CIT)?
So, if there is culturally appropriate training (CAT), is there also the reciprocal – culturally inappropriate training (CIT)? Sure, of course, there is – but let's hope that collectively none of us ever experience it – either giving or receiving. There are a couple of general points to consider.

It is absolutely more important what not to do! Review the don'ts listed above. Then review them again. Consider if there are any other don'ts you can think of. Then be sure to avoid them at all costs – which brings us to the second point.

It only takes one innocent faux pas to undo much goodwill. It takes a lot of hard work, patience, etc., to develop trust with others of a different cultural group. But all it takes is one relatively innocent slip of the tongue, physical slight, etc., to lose that hard-earned trust. Try not to do so.

My own mistake – a case study
Many years ago, I was doing some Asbestos Supervisor training for a Native Tribe. We had worked most of the day building a polyethylene sheeting containment and decontamination facility. We had worked outside in the sun in July – it was hot – especially in the poly containment. Everyone was hot and tired. We went inside, where it was a bit cooler (but no A/C), to do our hands-on session on donning PPE, including disposable suits. Despite XL suits, they did not fit everyone. A taller student was having some trouble donning his suit.

To try to encourage him, I made an unfortunate reference to trying to also help my young son. Immediately he got mad, pushed me aside, and stormed out. You see, Natives were often treated as and compared to children—clearly not my intent, but a huge gaffe never-the-less. We took a break, of course. I found my contact person and explained my mistake, and took responsibility for it.

The next day back in the classroom, I explained and apologized to the entire class and specifically to the student offended by my remark. I shared with them my own experiences of being taunted as a child for being Jewish. Having something of a common bond helped get past our differences. To this day, I still provide their refresher training each year.

A great quote on culture
It's always nice to have something profound to say at the close of an article or training – CAT or otherwise. So here's a great quote from someone else on culture (and by extension on CAT). See if you can guess who said the following.

"If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place."

Are you able to guess who said it? Here are some hints if you need them:

• A woman said it.
• She studied many different cultural groups.
• She was an author – her first major work was "Coming of Age in Samoa."
• She was not only an anthropologist but also a cultural anthropologist.
• She was an expert on culture (of course) and quite likely CAT, too.
• She lived from 1901 to 1978

Did you figure it out – I hope so! It was an anthropologist, author, and culture expert… Margaret Mead (of course – who else could it be?)

Any remaining questions?

Hopefully, this has helped give you a foundation in CAT. There is always more we could discuss, but this will have to be it for now. However, if you, the reader, have any other questions, please feel free to contact me at the contact information below.

Thanks, and good training!