Since research suggests that a direct relationship exists between effective orientation and employee productivity, careful consideration must be given to content, design, and delivery issues when developing orientation training programs for foreign-born employees. The United States typically does not provide adequate employee orientation. Employees should be provided with essential information about U.S. culture, job related matters, practical living, health care, shopping, financial matters, and language training. The programs must be delivered in ways that help employees understand and communicate more effectively in their new environments, including field trips, group discussions, and introductions. The following universal communication skills should be part of any orientation program: (1) show respect for others, (2) describe rather than evaluate, (3) understand cultural relativism, (4) demonstrate empathy, (5) help manage the interaction, and (6) stay flexible. Language modification should be encouraged in any cross-cultural situation through simplification, clarification, and specification. (A model of language modification through simplification and visual aids is included.) (JD)