Limitations to the goals educators set for their students originate primarily from two sources: (1) students' individual abilities and attitudes, and (2) cultural influences that contradict or countermand instruction rather than reinforce it. These contradicting cultural influences are particularly evident in reference to the skills and knowledge teachers try to develop in oral and written communication. The fields of marketing and advertising are the sources of most of the negative influences that disrupt students' development of communication skills, with examples of incorrect grammar, syntax, and spelling reaching students through every medium. Speech communication and English teachers must begin to do some serious adapting of instructional approaches, including reforming educational goals, discussing with students the balance needed between accuracy and creativity in syntax, and directly confronting professionals in marketing and advertising regarding the issue of linguistic corruption for the sake of increased profit margins. (HTH)