This article represents a synthesis of concepts from contrastive phonology, speech processing, TESOL, and computer‐assisted instruction for the purpose of improving the communication skills of international teaching assistants in U.S. colleges and universities. Although the focus is on speakers of Chinese, most of the concepts are equally applicable to speakers of other East Asian languages. Methods of interpreting and utilizing visual displays of speech patterns are presented throughout, with examples of both segmental and suprasegmental phonolog