Intercultural miscommunication occurs when there is a breakdown in communication between speakers of two different cultures and languages due to cultural differences and/or sociolinguistic transfer. Intercultural miscommunication has tremendous impact on ESOL students' academic learning at North American schools. This paper examines the nature of intercultural communication, the causes of intercultural miscommunication, and its impact on ESOL students. It also suggests instructional implications for teachers to help their ESOL students avoid being misunderstood by their North American peers and teachers.