Home economics professionals were surveyed to determine the communication competencies necessary for the completion of their tasks. The most highly rated of the 13 competencies listed by the subjects were the abilities to converse in professional situations, to use other oral processes (argument, complaint, opinion, persuasion, questioning), and to speak in public. The same list of competencies was then presented to 13 teacher educators who rated them for their importance to teachers. After considering the items alone and in groups of two and of four, the teacher educators rated the abilities to listen and to evaluate most highly. In addition, they rated other verbal skills--such as the oral processes of questioning, debate, and persuasion; conversation; and presentation strategies--as important. (Author/FL)