高校外语教学不只着重语言知识的传授，还要帮助培养学生的各种英语能力，为适应现代社会作积极的准备。

开设实用性强的各类英语选修课程，如以语言、文学、哲学、义化、外国概况等为内容的素质课，以社会交际、国际礼仪等为内容的社交课，以英语国家生存常识为内容的出国预备课等，通过英语教学有效地培养学生用英语进行工作沟通和学术交流的能力。

本书介绍了英美两国社会文化背景和生活习俗，共分十二章，涵盖政治、经济、文化、社会生活等诸多方面，每章还有相关话题讨论、文化知识测试和名人名言，将英美文化的学习融入口语、阅读和写作练习中。兼具实用性与知识性。可供各大专院校作为教材使用，也可供从事相关工作的人员作为参考用书使用。

本书介绍了英美两国社会文化背景和生活习俗，共分十二章，涵盖政治、经济、文化、社会生活等诸多方面，每章还有相关话题讨论、文化知识测试和名人名言，将英美文化的学习融入口语、阅读和写作练习中。兼具实用性与知识性。

可用作研究生、本科生选修课教材，也适合读者自学使用。

Chapter 1 Introduction to Cross-Cultural Communication

 1.1 Overview

 1.2 Features of Culture

 1.3 Culture and Language

 1.4 Intercultural Communication

 1.5 Culture Shock

Chapter 2 One Man's Meat Is Another Man's Poison: American and British Characters and Values

 2.1 American Values

 2.2 British Values

Chapter 3 Actions Speak Louder than Words: An Overview of Non-Verbal Communication

 3.1 Classification of NVC

 3.2 Body Language

Chapter 4 When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do: Traditions and Customs

 4.1 Manners and Etiquette

 4.2 Love, Marriage, and Family

 4.3 Catering Culture and Table Manners

 4.4 House in America and Britain

Chapter 5 Let Words Work Right for You: Formal and Informal English

 5.1 British English and American English

 5.2 Formal and Informal English

 5.3 English Slang: An In{ormal Language

Chapter 6 Let's Strike a Deal: Business Communication

 6.1 Business Etiquette

 6.2 Writing Business Letters

 6.3 Writing Business E-mail

Chapter 7 Knowledge Is Power: Education

 7.1 Education in the United States

 7.2 Education in the United Kingdom

 7.3 Graduation Ceremony in the U.S.and the U.K.

Chapter 8 To Get the Lion's Share: Economic Life

 8.1 General Overview of American Economy

 8.2 General Overview of British Economy

Chapter 9 All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy: Entertainment and Leisure Activities

 9.1 Mass Media and Sports in the United States

 9.2 Mass Media and Sports in Great Britain

Chapter 10 Histories Make Men Wise: History and Government

 10.1 History and Government of the United States

 10.2 History and Government of Great Britain

Chapter 11 See God to Believe, or Believe God to See: Religions and Beliefs

 11.1 Religions in the United States

 11.2 Religions in the United Kingdom

 11.3 Belief in God and Church-Going in the U.S.and the U.K.

 11.4 Religion and Science

 11.5 Religion and Politics

Chapter 12 Let's Paint the Town Red and Celebrate: Holidays and Festivals

 12.1 Overview

 12.2 Holidays and Festivals Shared by the U.S.and the U.K.

 12.3 Uniquely American Holidays and Festivals

 12.4 Uniquely British Holidays and Festivals

Suggested Answers to Activities and Exercises

Bibliography