WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT? The rules of communication are not universal - they are specific to particular cultures. Excuse Me, Can You Repeat That? is packed with tips and suggestions that afford the international student an inside look on how to successfully navigate verbal and nonverbal communication while pursuing studies and life in the United States. It goes beyond simply teaching students and U.S. visitors how to speak English. It delves into manners and the meaning of American English as it pertains to a variety of situations such as grocery shopping, attending a social gathering, eating at a restaurant, and attending classes. In addition, it explains how intonation patterns, pronunciation, and nonverbal language cues can completely change the meaning of the spoken word and demonstrates how to communicate in a way that will ensure speakers are clearly understood. Diagrams, charts and words to practice are an added value to this comprehensive English communication guide. WHAT MAKES THIS BOOK UNIQUE? Edelstein, a speech consultant and communication professor, bases her guide on 30 years of experience working with individuals who have come to the United States to work, study or live. Included in the book are enlightening comments from 50 foreign students, who have studied in the United States. The quotes were taken from a survey conducted by Edelstein that asked them from a communications perspective to compare what they thought studying in the U.S. would be like to what it was actually like once they began taking classes.