A course in English for academic purposes designed for graduate students needing specialized continuing development of their language skills is described. The course focuses on improving intelligibility, fluency, and accuracy of speech skills required in various disciplines in academic and professional contexts, and provides individualized instruction for different disciplines. Classroom techniques include pronunciation instruction, vocabulary development, pair and group practice, and oral presentations. Academic speech skills are divided into language functions such as expressing numbers, describing, classifying, defining, and talking about process. Public speaking is introduced halfway through the course. Classwork and homework are made relevant to the students by concentrating on common academic lexical phrases, academic vocabulary, and formal presentation style. Assignments are individualized for the students' own academic fields. Appended materials include a 20-item bibliography, an initial student questionnaire, a sample handout, a course evaluation form, and a list of strategies for increasing relevance in an oral language course for graduate students. (MSE)