What is a Speech Language

Pathologists Role
For English Language
Learners?
By Hannah Dunsmoor

SLPs have a role in many different areas, such as

school age children, adults, medical settings, and
school settings. We not only help with specific speech
errors, like saying, rabbit instead of wabbit, but
we also are knowledgeable about social usages of
language, word meanings, the sounds in words,
sentence structures, word ending and origin, and
many more!

When working with English Language Learners,

we have the skills needed to identify patterns of
their speech and what their strengths and
weaknesses are. SLPs are knowledgeable in
techniques that can help push the student towards
progress with learning English. We are not only
collaborating with other teachers to help English
Language Learners speak more clearly, but we also
work on efficient communication, verbal and non
verbal.

A large part of this entails understanding the

social norms of communication. Being aware that
English Language Learners come from culturally
different backgrounds help us in this process.

Speech Language Pathologists are language experts

and can analyze the differences between cultures to
make the connection that maybe a student is not
maintaining eye contact because they are not
supposed to in their culture. The student is not
doing something wrong or incorrectly, it is just
different! While respecting the learners cultural
differences, we also teach them the social norms of
language in America. This will help them assimilate
into this new country smoothly.

Teaching Early Language Learners good

communication while respecting their cultural
differences, will result in successful speaking,
thinking, reading, writing, and learning.

Lastly, SLPs are used to working with clients

who may get frustrated and discouraged.
Therefore, we are excellent at finding unique ways
to counsel and empathize with learners to keep
them motivated and ready to make progress!