Cultural Competence in Speech Therapy: Using Heritage Months as Learning Gateways

Let’s start with a question: How often do we talk about culture in a way that actually reflects the lives of the people we’re referencing? Usually, well-meaning efforts to celebrate diversity can fall flat if they rely on surface-level facts or outdated stereotypes. That’s why heritage months are such valuable tools—they give educators and speech professionals a chance to focus on specific cultural identities throughout the year, ideally in a way that is deep, respectful, and actionable. But it takes more than just marking a date on the calendar to make this meaningful.

In speech therapy classrooms, especially, these cultural celebrations can be a game-changer. Imagine a space where students can explore new cultures without fear of being wrong, where curiosity is encouraged and questions are welcome. No tests looming, no red pens at the ready—just a safe, enriching environment to discover how language and identity connect across the world. Let’s dive into how to make that happen.

Using Heritage Months as Entry Points for Cultural Learning

Each heritage month—whether it’s Black History Month in February, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May, or Hispanic Heritage Month in September and October—offers a structured opportunity to explore the histories, contributions, and lived experiences of these communities. For speech professionals working with students, this means selecting stories, dialect samples, oral histories, and language patterns that reflect real voices from these cultures. It’s not just about exposure—it’s about immersion, understanding, and appreciation.

For example, when highlighting African American Vernacular English (AAVE), it’s crucial to present it as a legitimate linguistic system rather than a set of “errors” from Standard American English. This helps students see the richness and rule-governed nature of different dialects. Educators can partner with local cultural centers or use digital archives like the Library of Congress’s “Voices Remembering Slavery” to hear from people in their own words¹. These firsthand accounts can help students connect emotionally and intellectually with the material, sparking meaningful conversations that go beyond vocabulary drills.

Finding Authentic Sources and Avoiding Cultural Bias

One of the most powerful steps professionals can take is to actively seek out content created by people from the cultures being studied. This could include YouTube channels, podcasts, blogs, or even open-access academic work. For students in speech therapy, these authentic sources can bring cultural learning to life in ways that are far more engaging than a textbook ever could.

Doing this also helps avoid the common pitfall of interpreting a culture through an outsider’s lens, which can unintentionally perpetuate stereotypes or misinformation. When we rely only on pre-packaged curriculum, we’re often getting a filtered version of culture that may lack nuance or context—something students can pick up on, even if they can’t name it yet.

For example, when planning activities around Native American Heritage Month in November, educators can consult resources created by tribal nations themselves or use educational materials from organizations like the National Museum of the American Indian². These sources provide accurate, tribe-specific perspectives that help students and professionals alike understand the diversity among Indigenous peoples. The key is representation—not just talking about a group, but giving them the space to speak for themselves whenever possible. For students, that’s not only informative—it’s empowering.

Incorporating Virtual Field Trips for Deeper Eng