I chose to convert Speech 11 with some hesitation. This introductory course in listening and speaking, formally titled Basic Communication Skills and Practice, comes with layers of complexity.  Before I get into why this conversion feels both necessary and daunting, let me paint a picture of the course. Speech 11 is fundamentally about developing the comprehension of verbal and nonverbal communication and strengthening listening skills, particularly critical listening. Think of it as the foundation that students need before they ever stand up to give a public speech, it is the very beginning stages of presentational skills.  Here’s where it gets complicated, my students are non-native American English speakers with varied…