We have been working with further education colleges in the East of England for the past 20+ years. Our Speech and Language Student Therapy Services include, staff training, skills and environment audits and direct support for students. Read all about our Further Education Services.
Around 10% of young people have long-term speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), including those with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Autism, and other communication difficulties.
Many students with speech and language difficulties face challenges with communication, comprehension, and expression, which can impact their academic performance, social interactions, overall confidence and mental health. All of which can lead to increased course dropout rates.
Depending on requirements, our student led Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) can be delivered on a one to one basis or in small group sessions.
How Speech and Language Therapy Helps Students
Integrating Speech and Language Therapy strategies into the classroom is essential for fostering an inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive.
- Enhancing Communication Skills – SLT helps students to improve both verbal and non-verbal communication. This includes articulation, fluency, and expressive language, ensuring that students can effectively convey their thoughts and ideas.
- Supporting Comprehension – many students with learning difficulties struggle with understanding spoken and written language. Therapists work on skills such as following instructions, processing information, and improving reading comprehension.
- Boosting Confidence and Participation – by addressing communication barriers, SLT helps students to become more confident in classroom discussions, group work, and presentations, enabling them to engage more fully in their education.
- Developing Social Interaction Skills – College life requires effective social skills. SLT assists students in understanding social cues, maintaining conversations, and forming positive relationships with peers and adults.
- Improving Executive Functioning – many students with learning difficulties struggle with organising thoughts, planning, and managing time. SLT provides strategies to enhance these skills, making daily activities of living tasks and academic tasks more manageable.
How our Small Group Sessions Work
Our small group sessions focus on confidence, interaction, and communication. Group size will vary but they tend to be between 3-6 students, last approximately 45 minutes and depending on the students’ wider support plan (EHCP), we typically suggest weekly sessions. They take place in a quiet, distraction-free room in the college with materials like visuals, communication boards, and sometimes digital tools (e.g. Apps or AAC devices).
Our Speech and Language Therapy sessions typically follow this itinerary;
Icebreakers and warm-ups: e.g. name games, simple conversation starters.
Role play and scenarios: practicing real-life situations like ordering in a café or asking for help.
Games: tailored to language goals (e.g. barrier games, describing games).
Collaborative tasks: small projects or problem-solving activities that require communication.
Reflection and feedback: discussion about what went well and what could be improved.
We will monitor progress, using informal observation, checklists, or standardized tools to monitor progress. Goals are usually documented in a therapy plan, which may link with the student’s Individual Learning Plan (ILP) or EHCP.
Example Group Session: Developing Conversation Skills
The aim of this session is to focus on turn-taking, keeping the students to stay on topic and encouraging them to ask questions.
1. Welcome and Warm-Up (5–10 min)
- Activity: Name game with an adjective (e.g. ‘Confident Chloe’)
- Purpose: Build rapport, encourage interaction, reduce anxiety
2. Recap and Goal Setting (5 min)
- Quick discussion: What did we work on last time?
- Today’s goal: “I will try to ask follow-up questions when someone shares something.”
3. Main Activity (25 min)
Part A: Role Play Game – ‘College Life Chat’
- College related topic cards: Students take turns picking a card with a question e.g. “What’s your favourite subject?” or “Describe your ideal weekend.”
- Next Question: Peers ask at least one follow-up question.
Part B: Group Discussion
- Prompt: “How do you show you’re listening to someone?”
- Use visual cues: nodding, body language cards
4. Reflection and Feedback (5–10 min)
- Visual scale: Groups rate their confidence using for e.g. smiley faces or thumbs up/down.
- Praise: Share one thing each person did well (with support from the therapist if needed).
5. Home/College Practice Suggestion (Optional)
- Break time activity: Students are encouraged to practice asking follow-up questions in class or during breaks.
- Make a record: option to write a note in their communication log or ILP.
The Importance of Integrating SLT Strategies in the Classroom
Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment – by incorporating SLT strategies, educators can ensure that all students, regardless of their learning challenges, have equal opportunities to succeed.
Using Visual Supports and Cues – Teachers can integrate visuals, diagrams, and written instructions to aid comprehension and reinforce verbal instructions.
Encouraging Multimodal Learning – the use of a variety of teaching methods, such as auditory, visual, and kinaesthetic approaches, supports diverse learning needs and enhances information retention.
Providing Structured and Clear Instructions – breaking down complex instructions into smaller steps helps students to process and follow through with tasks effectively.
Promoting Peer Support and Collaborative Learning – encouraging group activities allows students to practice communication skills in a supportive setting.
Implementing Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) – speech-to-text software, text-to-speech programs, and language Apps can assist students in overcoming communication barriers allowing them to get their wants and needs met, engage with peers and participate in lessons. Read our blog on What is AAC?
Get the Right Support
Speech and Language Therapy is vital in supporting college students with learning difficulties. By integrating SLT strategies into the classroom, educators can create a more accessible, engaging, and productive learning experience for all students. Encouraging communication, comprehension, and social interaction development not only enhances academic success, but also prepares students for future professional and personal endeavours. Investing in inclusive education benefits everyone, fostering a more understanding and supportive College community.
Our Further Education Speech & Language Student Support Service is tailored to the specific needs of each College. Please get in touch to find out more information and see how we can help.
