Postgraduate Speech and Language Therapy 2012

Original post by Claire-H

Hi Jennifex - Just a general question about the application process really! What work experience did you have before applying? I'm worrying that I don't have enough! x

I had:
- CityLit course in Speech & Language Therapy as a career
- a year(ish) at a care home for adults with learning disabilities where I was able to watch a handful of speech therapy sessions
- 2 months in a nursery
- 10-day placement helping a deaf child in a mainstream school
- Volunteered at a weekly play scheme for disabled children
- A few other "bits and pieces" like a day at a communication group for people who'd had a stroke, a bit of training on autism from one of my jobs, bits and pieces of volunteering elsewhere
- Been interested in SLT for a long time, read lots of books about speech therapy and had a subscription membership to the RCSLT Bulletin, so had quite a bit of knowledge and passion!

Tbh it sounds pretty impressive written down like that, but I really think they take into account your personality and your knowledge just as much as your experience. You have to have SOME experience, but if you don't have a massive amount, don't underestimate the power of just reading about speech therapy, because they are looking at how much you actually know about it.
There is a book called "Speech & Language Therapy: The Decision Making Process when working with Children" by kersner & wright. It was one of our recommended course books at Essex and is a really nice intro to the career.

Reply 62

Original post by Rach_L

Thanks jennifex! I know that Sheff/UCL are seen as more 'sciencey' as opposed to Reading where there is a greater focus on linguistics...(at least this is what I have heard!) Where would you say Essex fits in?

Hmm... tbh I think we have quite a good balance. The course is quite practical, so there is a lot of group discussion work, PBL (Problem Based Learning in groups where you look at a client and try to figure out what is going on), and placements are really important. In first year there is also lots of linguistics, psychology, sociology, anatomy, and quite a bit about professionalism (so looking at speech therapy in practice, guest speakers, RCSLT/ Department of Health standards and guidelines, The NHS, confidentiality, etc. etc.) I would say the science side of things not the main "focus" here but it is still something you have to know about and have to pass.
(You will probably find in practice that only a small number of speech therapists actually know their science/ anatomy in great depth! - as far as I can tell, some need it and some almost never do)

At the end of the day the course is preparing you for a career, so in my opinion the practical side of things is the most important, but we do a lot of everything to be honest! That's why it is so intense! The course is split into children in year 1 and adults in year 2, which I think is a really nice way of doing things, you get a nice balance of placements (you hear about some people who did an SLT course and all their placements ended up being with one or the other!)

Also - I'd recommend trying not to base your choice of uni on rumours about what they focus on. To train to be a speech therapist you will need a good understanding of a really broad range of topics, and I think all of the courses must include quite a lot of all the areas, or you just wouldn't have the skills and knowledge that you need.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 63

Original post by jennifex

I had:
- CityLit course in Speech & Language Therapy as a career
- a year(ish) at a care home for adults with learning disabilities where I was able to watch a handful of speech therapy sessions
- 2 months in a nursery
- 10-day placement helping a deaf child in a mainstream school
- Volunteered at a weekly play scheme for disabled children
- A few other "bits and pieces" like a day at a communication group for people who'd had a stroke, a bit of training on autism from one of my jobs, bits and pieces of volunteering elsewhere
- Been interested in SLT for a long time, read lots of books about speech therapy and had a subscription membership to the RCSLT Bulletin, so had quite a bit of knowledge and passion!

Tbh it sounds pretty impressive written down like that, but I really think they take into account your personality and your knowledge just as much as your experience. You have to have SOME experience, but if you don't have a massive amount, don't underestimate the power of just reading about speech therapy, because they are looking at how much you actually know about it.
There is a book called "Speech & Language Therapy: The Decision Making Process when working with Children" by kersner & wright. It was one of our recommended course books at Essex and is a really nice intro to the career.

My experience is:
- English Language and Communication degree, where I did a module called 'Communication Disorders' covering aphasia, dysphagia etc and carried out mini projects where we were presented with transcripts of speech and had to determine the disorder, the traits of the disorder and suggested exercises for the client.
- Communication Support Volunteer with the Stroke Association, visiting people in their own homes.
- Volunteer with a Parkinsons UK singing group for early onset Parkinsons.
- Volunteering in 2 hospitals as a mealtime assistant on the elderly care ward, carrying out patient surveys, assisting in the SLT department with admin tasks, shadowing therapists and learning to use Boardmaker to make a communication aid.
- 3 days shadowing a therapist in another hospital, focusing on swallowing difficulties. Helped to write up assessment notes and sat in on bedside assessment relating to liquid diets.
- 1 week in a special school working in the AAC classroom, learning to use electronic talkers and PECS.
- 3 shadowing sessions of an independent therapist in pre-school language units and mainstream schools, and 1 session of private therapy.
- Worked for a month in a special school with 16 - 19 year olds with PMLD, did a weeks training covering communication, feeding, lifting/handling, hydrotherapy etc
- Work 1 hour a day at an after school club with primary aged children with williams/downs syndrome and autism.
- Was a brownie leader for 6 months!
- My mum had a stroke when my twin brothers were born so that is the reason I've wanted to be a speech therapist since I was about 10 :smile:

I'm just worried as it is all very bitty and has been within the last 6 months whereas most people seem to have experience that has been for a year or more?? I wanted to try and work with a wide range of different ages, settings and clients which I think I have done (Hospitals, mainstream schools, support groups, with the elderly, adults, teenagers and children). I'm pretty good at interviews usually but I want this so much i'm worried i'll break down!

Ps. thank you for offering to answer our questions :smile:

Is this all bringing back memories of your application process?! x

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 64

Rach_L

Original post by jennifex

Hmm... tbh I think we have quite a good balance. The course is quite practical, so there is a lot of group discussion work, PBL (Problem Based Learning in groups where you look at a client and try to figure out what is going on), and placements are really important. In first year there is also lots of linguistics, psychology, sociology, anatomy, and quite a bit about professionalism (so looking at speech therapy in practice, guest speakers, RCSLT/ Department of Health standards and guidelines, The NHS, confidentiality, etc. etc.) I would say the science side of things not the main "focus" here but it is still something you have to know about and have to pass.
(You will probably find in practice that only a small number of speech therapists actually know their science/ anatomy in great depth! - as far as I can tell, some need it and some almost never do)

At the end of the day the course is preparing you for a career, so in my opinion the practical side of things is the most important, but we do a lot of everything to be honest! That's why it is so intense! The course is split into children in year 1 and adults in year 2, which I think is a really nice way of doing things, you get a nice balance of placements (you hear about some people who did an SLT course and all their placements ended up being with one or the other!)

Also - I'd recommend trying not to base your choice of uni on rumours about what they focus on. To train to be a speech therapist you will need a good understanding of a really broad range of topics, and I think all of the courses must include quite a lot of all the areas, or you just wouldn't have the skills and knowledge that you need.

Thank you so much for all that info - really useful! I have also just ordered the book you mentioned from the library. I agree about not choosing a uni based on rumours, and to be honest I am trying really hard not to have a preference as I know how incredibly competitive it is and will be very grateful to get an offer from any of them...

Reply 65

Rach_L

Original post by Claire-H

My experience is:
- English Language and Communication degree, where I did a module called 'Communication Disorders' covering aphasia, dysphagia etc and carried out mini projects where we were presented with transcripts of speech and had to determine the disorder, the traits of the disorder and suggested exercises for the client.
- Communication Support Volunteer with the Stroke Association, visiting people in their own homes.
- Volunteer with a Parkinsons UK singing group for early onset Parkinsons.
- Volunteering in 2 hospitals as a mealtime assistant on the elderly care ward, carrying out patient surveys, assisting in the SLT department with admin tasks, shadowing therapists and learning to use Boardmaker to make a communication aid.
- 3 days shadowing a therapist in another hospital, focusing on swallowing difficulties. Helped to write up assessment notes and sat in on bedside assessment relating to liquid diets.
- 1 week in a special school working in the AAC classroom, learning to use electronic talkers and PECS.
- 3 shadowing sessions of an independent therapist in pre-school language units and mainstream schools, and 1 session of private therapy.
- Worked for a month in a special school with 16 - 19 year olds with PMLD, did a weeks training covering communication, feeding, lifting/handling, hydrotherapy etc
- Work 1 hour a day at an after school club with primary aged children with williams/downs syndrome and autism.
- Was a brownie leader for 6 months!
- My mum had a stroke when my twin brothers were born so that is the reason I've wanted to be a speech therapist since I was about 10 :smile:

I'm just worried as it is all very bitty and has been within the last 6 months whereas most people seem to have experience that has been for a year or more?? I wanted to try and work with a wide range of different ages, settings and clients which I think I have done (Hospitals, mainstream schools, support groups, with the elderly, adults, teenagers and children). I'm pretty good at interviews usually but I want this so much i'm worried i'll break down!

Ps. thank you for offering to answer our questions :smile:

Is this all bringing back memories of your application process?! x

Wow I think you have more experience than me if that makes you feel any better - especially in terms of actual shadowing! I wouldn't worry about it all being in the past six months, I was worried about that at my Greenwich interview (mine is spread over about 8 months as when I first graduated I worked in PR for 6 months) and they didn't even mention it/seem bothered. I think it is more about being able to say what you have gained from it...

My experience is -
* 8 months volunteering at a weekly Stroke support group
* 4 months volunteering as a conversation partner on the stroke ward at hospital (once a week) (including a 2 day training course led by a SLT and shadowing her on the ward)
* 4 months volunteering on the elderly ward feeding patients (included shadowing a specialist nurse feeding patients with swallowing difficulties)
* A morning shadowing a SLT on an acute ward
* A weeks work experience in a school with a specialist speech and language base working directly with the SLT
* Two day course at Northwick Park Hospital (included shadowing and a chance to meet a variety of clients)
* Two day 'career in SLT' course at CityLit (included the chance to meet a variety of client groups)
* Since graduating I have been working full time in a nursery (so gaining experience of normal child development) and at a tutoring centre working closely with SEN children

(Actually it does make you feel good to write it all down as you realise it sounds better/more than you thought!)

Reply 66

Original post by Rach_L

Wow I think you have more experience than me if that makes you feel any better - especially in terms of actual shadowing! I wouldn't worry about it all being in the past six months, I was worried about that at my Greenwich interview (mine is spread over about 8 months as when I first graduated I worked in PR for 6 months) and they didn't even mention it/seem bothered. I think it is more about being able to say what you have gained from it...

My experience is -
* 8 months volunteering at a weekly Stroke support group
* 4 months volunteering as a conversation partner on the stroke ward at hospital (once a week) (including a 2 day training course led by a SLT and shadowing her on the ward)
* 4 months volunteering on the elderly ward feeding patients (included shadowing a specialist nurse feeding patients with swallowing difficulties)
* A morning shadowing a SLT on an acute ward
* A weeks work experience in a school with a specialist speech and language base working directly with the SLT
* Two day course at Northwick Park Hospital (included shadowing and a chance to meet a variety of clients)
* Two day 'career in SLT' course at CityLit (included the chance to meet a variety of client groups)
* Since graduating I have been working full time in a nursery (so gaining experience of normal child development) and at a tutoring centre working closely with SEN children

(Actually it does make you feel good to write it all down as you realise it sounds better/more than you thought!)

Your experience sounds great too!! I keep telling my mum how competitive it is and she keeps saying i'll definitely get an interview because I've done so much.. and I keep telling her EVERYONE has done so much!! I just want to have enough experience to have an equal standing with everyone else so I get an interview - If I don't get asked to any interviews i'll be gutted because i'll feel like I haven't had the chance to show them how much I want it!
I agree with you on the writing it down though, I read it back afterwards and thought 'hmm it doesn't look so little after all!'
I've just looked back and seen you've applied to all of the same Uni's as me (with the exception of Essex). Have you heard anything back yet? How did you find the 3 questions from City? x

Reply 67

Original post by Claire-H

I'm just worried as it is all very bitty and has been within the last 6 months whereas most people seem to have experience that has been for a year or more?? I wanted to try and work with a wide range of different ages, settings and clients which I think I have done (Hospitals, mainstream schools, support groups, with the elderly, adults, teenagers and children). I'm pretty good at interviews usually but I want this so much i'm worried i'll break down!

Ps. thank you for offering to answer our questions :smile:

Is this all bringing back memories of your application process?! x

Your experience sounds great! And you have seen actual speech therapy which is a massive bonus. I don't know that it really matters how long you have been doing it. Some people have years and years of experience but don't get on the course because they haven't learned as much from it, or all their experience is in one area, or maybe they just don't come across well at interview.

You have a wide range of experience which is great - it's all about how much you have gained from it and how well you can articulate that! Don't doubt yourself on the grounds of your experience. It's not a competition as to "who has done the most", it's all about how you apply it. Also, if you get called to interview, just remember you have as much right to be there as anyone. The interviews can be quite intimidating when you are surrounded by impressive people with lots of experience, but you just have to remember that you were called as well so you must have something that they are looking for, and just because someone has been an SLT assistant or something doesn't mean they are automatically a better candidate than you! Good luck :smile:

(No prob by the way, I just thought I would have loved to have spoken to some current students whilst I was doing my applications so thought I'd offer that for people here!)

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 68

pimpom

OP

Your experience all sounds great - everyone has such a great mix of experiences it is all so interesting to see the variety. And I agree about worrying as if everyone all has such a good range of experience how do they decide who to interview?? Must be difficult.

My experience is:
- My first degree is in Spanish and Psychology (2.1) including various modules on language and communication, language acquisition, brain and behaviour and disorders of language. I also took an Introductory Module in BSL and TESOL.
- My degree also included a year abroad and I spent a year abroad in Madrid working as and English Language Assistant in a bi-lingual primary school (experience of 'normal' child development and bi-lingualism).
- 8 months of volunteering 1 day a week at a Deaf Centre (involved admin tasks, BSL classes, events, liasing with Deaf community and improving my BSL)
- 8 months of volunteering 1 day a week at a specialist school for Deaf children with a wide range of communication and complex needs (involved shadowing the SLT and being a classroom assistant)
- A day shadowing a SLT with pre-school children
- A day at Head Forward group for people who have had TBI
- Currently working for the NHS as a Community Support Worker supporting adults with learning disabilities. Currently with people with Autism, Downs Syndrome and Dementia. Have had extensive training from the SLTs with regards to eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) as well as communicating with those with a range of learning disabilities.

It's all so exciting - looking forward to hopefully hearing from Essex soon!! Any news on what Reading are playing at? haha

Reply 69

dreamyfleur

Original post by Claire-H

Your experience sounds great too!! I keep telling my mum how competitive it is and she keeps saying i'll definitely get an interview because I've done so much.. and I keep telling her EVERYONE has done so much!! I just want to have enough experience to have an equal standing with everyone else so I get an interview - If I don't get asked to any interviews i'll be gutted because i'll feel like I haven't had the chance to show them how much I want it!
I agree with you on the writing it down though, I read it back afterwards and thought 'hmm it doesn't look so little after all!'
I've just looked back and seen you've applied to all of the same Uni's as me (with the exception of Essex). Have you heard anything back yet? How did you find the 3 questions from City? x

are you referring to the written additional statement? The negatives of working as an SLT , the factors influencing your choice etc etc?xx

Reply 70

dreamyfleur

I dont think we should all be writing our experience down its just going to freak people out- like someone mentioned above- Unis are looking for a range of skills not just what experience you have- its mainly about how you think you can make a difference by referring to the experience you have had. Im not being a boring moany but this close to hearing back i think we should just support each other rather than worry about if someone has more or less experience than another xxx

Reply 71

pimpom

OP

Yeh, you're right - what's done is done and it is more about quality rather than quantity :smile:

Reply 72

Original post by dreamyfleur

are you referring to the written additional statement? The negatives of working as an SLT , the factors influencing your choice etc etc?xx

I am indeed :smile:

How did you find it? I think it was nice to have the opportunity to go into more detail about specific things x

Reply 73

PS. Did anyone watch 'My Child's Not Perfect' on itv last night? Was really good x

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 74

dreamyfleur

Original post by Claire-H

I am indeed :smile:

How did you find it? I think it was nice to have the opportunity to go into more detail about specific things x

Yeah i found it really good to have the opportunity to discuss the specific things i have learnt from a session and from an observation :smile:

The negatives was the hardest bit but thats because im passionate about SLT.

p.s i watched my childs not perfect, Interesting as all 3of them were the sorts of cases you would expect in SLT x

Reply 75