Introduction

Welcome to the second edition of Oral Communication for Non-native Speakers of English!

This book is an essential instructional tool for developing oral communication skills in academic settings, specifically designed for international graduate students, teaching assistants, postdoctoral researchers, and those preparing to enter academia. The second edition introduces dedicated chapters on developing listening, speaking, and pronunciation.

The book has been constructed to be either a self-paced instructional tool for learners or classroom material for speaking or pronunciation courses.

The practice activities reinforce chapter content through real-world application and relatable situations. Each skill’s description is complemented with relatable scenarios, discussion prompts, and interactive online activities. Through this approach, learners can actively develop the skills needed for success in English-speaking academic environments.

As classroom material, we have two additional sections per skill: Teacher’s Corner and Additional Practice. The Teacher’s Corner provides important considerations for skill development, helpful tips, resources, and additional ideas for activities for teachers. The Additional Practice provides extended activities (e.g., homework, additional in-class activities) meant to be paired with classroom practice.