An intensive 3-week training program in medical communications skills for foreign native medical graduates (FNMG) is described. The program incorporates language and acculturation training via medically relevant, situational dialogues and role playing; training in medical interviewing skills with patient simulations; instruction in paralinguistics; seminars in medical records and communication with colleagues; and sociocultural presentations. The language training methodology is based on the Rassias/Dartmouth Intensive Language Method of small-group instruction, and the Foreign Service Institute oral interview protocol is also used. Each FNMG participant conducts individual interviews with two simulated patients who have been trained to observe and evaluate physicians' communication skills, and videotapes of the simulated clinical encounters are reviewed immediately with the patient simulator and several other participants. Paralinguistic skills training addresses cross-cultural differences and common American practices with regard to kinesics, proxemics, and nonverbal utterances. Instruction is also provided on American culture, history, and sociology. Formative and summative evaluation measures of six June 1981 enrollees included pretest-posttest measures, language skills, and ratings of simulated clinical interviews. There was unanimous agreement that the program met individual needs and increased participants' oral language proficiency. Enrollees noted that the language training and patient simulation sessions were particularly valuable. Rating forms, the Foreign Service Institute's oral proficiency ratings, and sociocultural education topics listing are appended. (SW)