One of the most neglected aspects of teacher training is thorough preparation in the diverse communication skills that are needed by good teachers in today's schools. Pre-professional teachers require a grounding in communication theory, a thorough knowledge of how children acquire competence in their native language over years of growth and experience, an understanding of how language is used and is structured by different ethnic groups in our multicultural society, an ability to discern and to respond sensitively to the body language used in a communicative transaction, rhetorical skills for the organization and delivery of specific knowledge and skills, and a grounding in group dynamics and group discussion skills. A two-semester interdisciplinary course in communication should be required of all teacher candidates. Faculty from communication, psychology, English, and education should be involved in the planning and teaching experiences of this course. Such an interdisciplinary course should attend to both the theoretical and the practical aspects involved in the communicative act, since communication is the core of teaching. (A list of communication needs for educators is attached.) (MG)