Culturally diverse attitudes and beliefs of students majoring in speech-language pathology.
OBJECTIVE
Academic education in speech-language pathology should prepare students to provide professional services that mirror current knowledge, skills, and scope of practice in a pluralistic society. This study seeks to examine the impact of speech-language pathology (SLP) students prior multicultural experiences and previous formal education on attitudes and beliefs toward language diversity.


METHODS
A survey to investigate SLP students attitudes toward language diversity was applied. After the research study and instructions to complete the consent form questionnaire was presented by a research assistant, an announcement was given by a graduate student who speaks English as a second language with an accent. The participants then completed a questionnaire containing questions related to attitudes about the presentation of the announcement in particular and toward language diversity in general.


RESULTS
Responses suggested a relationship between self-reported cultural bias and ability to concentrate on speech with an accent, and the extent of interaction with individuals from a cultural and linguistic diverse (CLD) background. Additional outcomes revealed that cultural bias may be predicted by factors related to amount of CLD exposure.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study indicated critical areas that need to be considered when developing curricula in speech-language pathology programs. The results will be useful in determining procedures applicable in larger investigations, and encourage future research on attitudes and beliefs toward aspects of cultural diversity.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale - Carbondale (IL), USA.
Maria Claudia
MC
Franca
Southern Illinois University Carbondale - Carbondale (IL), USA.
Linda McCabe
LM
Smith
Southern Illinois University Carbondale - Carbondale (IL), USA.
Jane Luanne
JL
Nichols
Southern Illinois University Carbondale - Carbondale (IL), USA.
Dianna Santos
DS
Balan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003144:Communication Barriers; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D013066:Speech-Language Pathology / Q000193:education*; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult