Most of my students are capable to adapting and coaching me as an instructor into the communications tool they feel most comfortable using, sometimes even despite my promptings. But the students I'm worried about he most are those for which English is a second language. When I detect grammar or flow problems with emails or IMs, I’ll attempt a phone call or use a VoIP tool. Interestingly enough, I find that students with difficulties in English as a Second Language tend to also have problems with many communications technologies. I don’t want to over simplify, but telephone contact with students for which English is a second language seems to work best for me. I’m wondering if anyone else has a similar or different experience.