An integrated multi-media package for learning clinical phonetics and linguistics

Area of Science:

• Speech and Language Therapy
• Clinical Linguistics
• Phonetics

Background:

• Effective phonetic and linguistic analysis is crucial for speech-language therapy students and practitioners.
• Acquiring and updating practical skills and theoretical knowledge in clinical linguistic analysis is essential.
• Existing learning resources may not adequately address the need for interactive, multimedia-based clinical linguistic training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel learning package, VISUAL-CLIP (VIdeo SUpported Active Learning in Clinical LInguistics and Phonetics), for acquiring and updating skills in clinical linguistic analysis.
• To provide a student-centred, interactive, multimedia tutorial for learning phonetics and clinical linguistics.
• To offer a comprehensive resource integrating various analytical perspectives and levels of difficulty.

Main Methods:

• Development of a CD-ROM based learning package named VISUAL-CLIP.
• Utilisation of digitised video- and audio-taped speech data from a child with a complex communication disorder.
• Integration of separate but inter-linked modules covering phonetics, phonology, grammar, semantics, and pragmatics.
• Inclusion of case history information, formal assessment results, theoretical background, and an annotated bibliography.

Main Results:

• VISUAL-CLIP provides an interactive platform for analysing speech data from multiple perspectives.
• The tutorial allows for analysis at different levels of difficulty, catering to varied learning needs.
• The integrated modules and supplementary information offer a holistic learning experience in clinical linguistics and phonetics.

Conclusions:

• VISUAL-CLIP serves as an effective tool for enhancing competence in the phonetic and linguistic analysis of spoken language.
• The multimedia, interactive approach facilitates practical skill acquisition and theoretical knowledge consolidation for speech-language therapy professionals.
• This learning package addresses a key requirement for students and practitioners in the field of speech and language therapy.