Speaking of Survival is a course designed for adult learners of English as a Second Language (ESL) at the high beginner/low intermediate level. It is particularly addressed to newcomers to the United States and presents the basic survival contexts all newcomers must cope with. It makes very conscious attempts to treat the learner with dignity and to appeal to his cognitive competence, curiosity, and need for practical, helpful information in the real situations he will face. ESL, Competence, Linguistics