Assignment Prompt & Instructions
All of you should have received approval on your graded proposal. Please go in and see my comments before you proceed. You might need to make some changes before you put the interview in place.
This week you are creating a plan with questions. I want you to design questions will inspire your interviewee to open up and share honestly. Here are some things you need to keep in mind:
1. Create questions that put them at ease, not make them defensive.
Examples:
What is a positive aspect of your culture that is a favorite of yours and why? **[good]**
Is there something that makes you cringe about your culture that I should know about? **[bad]**
1. Work toward the final question that gets them to reveal what it is about their culture that we need to be aware of since “we” are from another culture.
2. Leave room for them to expand on their answer – don’t create “yes”/ “no” questions or you will have little to report.
Can you remember a time when someone wasn’t sensitive to your culture and that made communication awkward? If yes, can you share what happened? **[good]**
Did someone ever offend you from another culture when trying to communicate with you? **[bad]**
Rebecca Felton
Prof. Boyer
Cultural Communications
April 5, 2026
Interview Proposal
Person:
I plan to interview a parent from my childcare center, Ms. Linh Tran. She is someone I have known for several years through my daycare business. She brings her child daily, and over time we have built a respectful relationship. As a childcare owner for the past 15 years, I have worked with many families, but Ms. Tran stood out to me because of how intentional she is about raising her child with her cultural values while also adapting to life here.
Culture:
Ms. Tran is originally from Vietnam, and her upbringing is rooted in strong family structure, respect for elders, and discipline in children. In her culture, children are expected to show a high level of respect and obedience, and family decisions are often made with everyone in mind, not just the individual. As an African American woman, I was raised with strong family values as well, but there is more emphasis on independence and allowing children to express themselves freely. Another difference I have noticed is communication style. She tends to be more reserved and thoughtful in how she speaks, while I am more open and direct. These differences have always stood out to me while working with her and her child.
Answer:
When I asked Ms. Tran about the interview, she was quiet at first and said she wanted to think about it. I understood that and gave her time without pressure. The next day when she came to pick up her child, she let me know she was willing to do it. She said she appreciated being asked and felt comfortable since we already had a level of trust. Her response showed me how important it is to be patient and respectful when approaching someone from a different background.
How:
We agreed to sit down and talk at my childcare center after hours once all the children are picked up. That way, we are both in a familiar space where she feels comfortable. I will take notes during the conversation, and if she is okay with it, I may record it on my phone just to make sure I do not miss anything. I will confirm everything with her once I receive approval.