Students’ Perceptions of Teachers’ Communication Styles from a Cross-Cultural Perspective

This research explored students’ perceptions of teachers’ communication styles from a cross-cultural perspective, focusing on how these styles influenced learning experiences in multicultural classrooms. Using a descriptive qualitative method, data were collected through interviews with five students from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Minang, Melayu, Batak, and Javanese at Universitas Negeri Padang. Thematic analysis identified four key themes such as message clarity and non-verbal communication, questioning style and student engagement, instructional methods and interaction balance, and cultural sensitivity in communication. The findings highlighted the importance of clear instructions, flexible questioning techniques, interactive teaching approaches, and culturally responsive communication in fostering inclusivity and engagement. These results emphasized the need for adaptable teaching practices that respected cultural diversity, ultimately improving learning outcomes for students in diverse educational settings.