Research in English for Academic Purposes has begun to show that non-native speakers of English have much difficulty in English academic listening at American universities. Chinese students, who are from a very different educational system and cultural environment, experience special challenges in English academic listening. This paper focuses on…

This study, using student ratings of lecturers, examines the perceived effect of the lecturers ability to communicate effectively. The relationship between the standard question -- "The lecturer was able to communicate ideas and information clearly" -- and the global rating question -- "Overall, the lecturer is an effective teacher" -- was…