A cross-cultural study was undertaken to examine levels of communication apprehension reported by five- to eleven-year-old subjects in the United States and Sweden. The approach was twofold: the examination of elementary age subjects and the use of their native language. The Personal Report of Communication Fear was administered to 186 males and 183 females in the United States and to 207 males and 199 females in Sweden (where it was translated into Swedish). Results revealed a significant main effect for culture, with Swedish subjects showing greater communication apprehension than American subjects. Second, age appears to be a significant variable in the increase of apprehension--apparently children learn to be more apprehensive toward communication as they grow and develop. Third, although a significant interaction among the variables of culture, age, and gender was found, no pattern of gender differences emerged. This study suggests that significant amounts of apprehension developed and increased in the early years and indicates the need for further research to determine appropriate prevention and therapy and to determine cultural characteristics that may cause or prevent the development of communication apprehension. (A three-page reference list and data tables are included). (NKA)