A study examined the production of three speech acts by a small group of Korean learners of English at a high beginning level. In comparing disagreements, requests, and suggestions, it was found that although the students demonstrate the ability to increase the level of politeness used, their disagreements tended to be direct and unmitigated. It is suggested that status, and in particular age as a component of status, is an important factor in influencing the students' choices regarding the perceived level of appropriate politeness. Transcriptions of the speech acts studied are appended. (MSE)