The Impact of Treating Bilingual Clients on Speech-Language Pathology Students' Cultural Responsiveness

Graduate programs often use practicum experience with clients from nonmajority cultures to improve students' cultural responsiveness. Yet, it is not clear whether simply working with a client from a nonmajority culture actually confers this benefit or whether students are thinking about how to include culturally responsive behaviors when they are considering how to address a clinical case.

Twenty first-year speech-language pathology graduate students (10 Spanish-English bilinguals, 10 monolingual English speakers) were split into three groups: monolingual experimental (n = 4), bilingual experimental (n = 4), and control (n = 12). The experimental groups completed a structured practicum with bilingual Hispanic/Latino clients. They received a 1-hr training in cultural responsiveness and then implemented a systematic language intervention in English or Spanish. Changes to cultural responsiveness were measured via think-aloud cases, and changes to confidence were measured with published, self-report scales. Reflective journal entries revealed what aspects of the clinical practicum students found most salient.

Experience working with bilingual clients did not have a substantial effect on students' confidence in their cultural competence. No substantial change was found in cultural responsiveness on the think-aloud for any group. Cultural responsiveness did not appear to be top-of-mind for the students.

Simply working with clients from nonmajority cultures does not create a scenario where cultural responsiveness is likely to improve. Additional targeted, purposeful training in cultural responsiveness is necessary.