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 Usually, well-meaning efforts to celebrate diversity can fall flat if they rely on surface-level facts or outdated stereotypes.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 Engagement

Virtual field trips are a game changer in today’s classrooms and therapy rooms. Speech professionals and educators can transport their students to new places using YouTube travel vlogs, Google Earth tours, and curated photo galleries. This is particularly useful when physical travel isn’t feasible—and let’s be honest, it usually isn’t.

Imagine exploring the markets of Oaxaca during Hispanic Heritage Month or walking through the streets of Hạ Long Bay during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month—all from your classroom or office. The key is to make these experiences immersive and guided by cultural context, letting students absorb the sights and sounds of another place while learning how people communicate within it.

One practical approach is to create thematic units where students “visit” different countries or cities and learn about local communication styles, gestures, and expressions. For speech therapy, this opens doors to conversations about nonverbal communication differences, code-switching, and how language evolves in diasporic communities. For example, showing a video of a family in Seoul preparing traditional meals can spark discussions about food vocabulary, family dynamics, or even intergenerational language use. Just be sure to critically evaluate your media sources for authenticity and accuracy—videos made by local residents or seasoned cultural educators are typically more reliable than generic travel content³.

Practical Integration into Speech and Communication Plans

In the speech therapy setting, heritage months offer a goldmine of possibilities for enriching communication goals. When planning lessons, therapists can incorporate real-life stories, culturally relevant vocabulary, and oral traditions that reflect the heritage being celebrated. This not only builds linguistic skills—it fosters empathy and curiosity.

For instance, during Juneteenth, students can listen to oral histories or watch short interviews with community members reflecting on the holiday’s meaning⁴. These stories provide a springboard for discussing narrative structure, expressive language, and sequencing—all while connecting with a deeper cultural message. It’s learning with heart.

Therapists can also invite guest speakers from local cultural organizations, or even connect students with pen pals or video chats from different regions or backgrounds. These experiences allow students to practice communication in authentic and motivating ways, far removed from the rote repetition that can sometimes dominate speech sessions.

Fostering a Culture of Continual Learning

The biggest takeaway here is that cultural competency is not a one-time training or a checklist. It’s an ongoing practice. Heritage months should serve as starting points for deeper engagement, not as isolated events. Professionals in speech and education should treat them as opportunities to build foundational knowledge that continues to grow over time. This means revisiting your sources, seeking feedback from others, and being open to correction when you make mistakes.

Encourage your colleagues and students to ask questions, and model that behavior yourself. If someone doesn’t understand the significance of a cultural practice, that’s okay—what matters is the willingness to learn. Create space for dialogue and reflection, perhaps through journaling prompts, small group discussions, or guest speakers. The more people feel safe exploring these topics, the more likely they are to internalize the lessons and carry them into their everyday communication.

Building Conversations That Lead to Change

Bringing culture into speech and communication work isn’t just about being politically correct—it’s about being accurate, empathetic, and effective. Whether you’re a teacher helping students understand how different communities tell their stories, or a speech-language pathologist guiding a student through expressive language goals, your role is to elevate those voices rather than speak over them. That takes intentionality, research, and a genuine desire to connect.

So let’s keep this conversation going. What cultures have your students been curious about? What stories made them light up with interest or ask follow-up questions long after the lesson ended? Share those resources. Bring them into your therapy rooms. Let students explore cultures with full curiosity and zero fear of “getting it wrong.” That’s when real learning happens. That’s when communication becomes connection.

The more we center real voices and lived experiences, the more our words will resonate—and the better we’ll serve our students. After all, speech therapy is about finding your voice. Let’s help our students find theirs in many languages, many dialects, and many stories.

Bibliography

• Library of Congress. “Voices Remembering Slavery: Freed People Tell Their Stories.” Accessed May 15, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/collections/voices-remembering-slavery.

• Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. “Educational Resources.” Accessed May 15, 2024. https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360.

• Google Earth Education. “Voyager Stories.” Accessed May 15, 2024. https://earth.google.com/web/data=CkQSAggBMAEoATAaGg1Wb3lhZ2VyIFN0b3JpZXMQAigC.

• National Museum of African American History and Culture. “Juneteenth: A Celebration of Resilience.” Accessed May 15, 2024. https://nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth.