Module Title: Cultural Competency & Communication for Mentors in NH Registered Apprenticeships

Module Overview

New Hampshire’s Registered Apprenticeship mentors work with apprentices from a wide range of cultural, social, and learning backgrounds; including high school CTE graduates, career changers, veterans, multilingual residents, new Americans, and people re-entering the workforce.
This module helps mentors develop cultural competency and effective communication practices that support apprentice success, confidence, and retention.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this module, mentors will be able to:

Define cultural competency and why it matters in apprenticeship mentoring. - REMOVE
Identify communication challenges that arise from cultural, generational, or learning differences.REMOVE
Apply strategies such as the S.L.O.W. Method and Repeat-Back Technique to improve clarity.
Demonstrate empathetic listening and inclusive mentoring behaviors.
Reflect on personal assumptions and communication style.

Required Video Clips

TED Talk: “The Danger of a Single Story” – Chimamanda Adichie REMOVE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg
TED-Ed: “Cross-Cultural Communication” REMOVE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMyofREc5Jk

Key Concepts

Communication Removed reference to culture Competency

The ability to work effectively across differences in communication style, values, language, expectations, and lived experience.

Communication Clarity

Using plain language, demonstrating tasks, checking understanding, and adjusting based on how the apprentice learns best.

Empathy & Curiosity

Approaching each interaction with openness rather than assumptions.

Practical Tools for Mentors

The S.L.O.W. Method

S – Say it Simply
L – Listen Fully
O – Observe Nonverbal Cues
W – Walk Through It Together

The Repeat-Back Technique

Ask apprentices to explain the task in their own words to confirm clarity.

The Mentor Self-Check

Am I assuming background knowledge?
Am I speaking too fast?
Did I make space for questions?
Did I acknowledge the apprentice’s perspective?

Module Activities

Scenario-Based Quiz: Communication challenges
Interactive “Choose the Best Response” exercise
Downloadable Mentor Handout