Becoming a Speech and Language Therapist: Education, Duties, Salary

Becoming a speech and language therapist typically requires a degree in speech and language therapy that’s approved by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You can also do an apprenticeship, which combines study with paid work, and if you choose this route, it takes about four years to complete.

As a speech and language therapist, you’ll work with individuals who struggle with communication, speaking, listening, or hearing. You may also work with people who have swallowing disorders. A speech and language therapist’s job is to both diagnose and treat. Your salary will vary by where you work, your location, years of experience, and any certifications you earn. Discover more about what it takes to become a speech and language therapist, as well as the responsibilities and potential salary.

What is speech-language pathology?

Speech-language pathology is the study of disorders in human communication, as well as all of the various ways that humans communicate. Researchers in the field aim to discover effective treatment methods for communication and oral motor disorders involving the mouth and throat. These disorders can affect a person's ability to pronounce words correctly, share ideas, follow generally accepted conversation rules, organise thoughts, and more. Some people are born with a speech-language disorder, whilst others may result from an external trigger like a traumatic brain injury, stroke, or autism spectrum disorder. 

What does a speech and language therapist do?

Speech and language therapists (SLTs) diagnose, assess, develop, and execute individualised treatment plans for people experiencing communication problems involving speech and language or swallowing disorders that affect the ability to eat and drink properly. These healthcare professionals work with individuals who suffer from language or speech problems and swallowing disorders. As a speech and language therapist, you may work with various age groups, from newborns to the elderly. You may also work with a wide range of speech, language, and swallowing/feeding disorders that may result from developmental delay, physical deformation, cognitive disorders, injury, illness, ageing, or mental/emotional disorders. 

Identify speech, language, or swallowing difficulties

A large part of what a speech and language therapist does is identify and diagnose speech, language, and swallowing difficulties. A speech and language therapist may use informal methods like observation, interviewing, or completing analog tasks to identify speech and language disorders and problems. Sometimes you might use formal tools and techniques that may involve standardised assessments, such as the Cognitive Linguistic Quick Test (CLQT) or the Conversation Analysis Profile for People with Aphasia (CAPPA) test.

The speech therapist will choose their method based on a person’s age, cultural background and values, and the severity of the concerns in question. Speech and language therapists typically begin with an initial assessment that involves a blend of testing and evaluation of voice quality and a physical examination of the mouth. Swallowing disorders may be caused by neurological disorders, stroke, and even dental problems. Speech and language therapists can help identify and treat swallowing difficulties by physically examining the muscles used for swallowing. This examination usually involves the patient performing specific movements and swallowing substances to assess their swallowing ability. 

Provide treatment options

After identifying the problem and offering a diagnosis, a speech and language therapist puts together a treatment plan. But how does a speech and language therapist know what will work for treating the condition and the individual? A speech and language therapist works with people regularly, often working through difficult situations where a person may become frustrated. You must know your clients and understand the best methods and approaches to help them. 

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the act of making informed and evidence-based decisions using your knowledge as a trained professional and the best practices found in published studies and research. You also may consider individual observations you’ve conducted and the cultural values and expectations of your client and their families or caregivers. When a speech and language therapist develops a treatment plan, it’s best to use EBP to create a programme that is mindful of the patient's needs and all of the options to help that patient reach their goal. 

Help individuals cope with speech disorders

Speech disorders can be a frustrating experience, and because of this, you might need to perform the role of counsellor when working with a patient. People who suffer from communication disorders may experience social anxiety, loneliness, problems at work, embarrassment, and even depression. This means that those with language and speech disorders may need additional support beyond a plan of treatment to deal with the frustration and setbacks they may experience.

Speech and language therapists may act as counsellors when working with patients who become overwhelmed, frustrated, sad, or angry. Their work can include helping patients with the thoughts, behaviours, and reactions related to the communication disorder. Some ways a speech and language therapist can help individuals cope with speech disorders include: 

• Help your patient find a counsellor or therapist with experience helping people with speech disorders

• Create a relaxed environment when working with the patient

• Inform the family and caregivers on helpful ways to communicate with your patient (i.e., don’t interrupt, reduce background noise, and ask them what would be helpful)

• When a patient becomes frustrated, use restating and reflection. Repeat what the patient says back to you and try to clarify with the patient what they mean and how you can help.

• Try to identify negative thoughts when working with your patient and tease them out to discuss their validity.

• Refer your patient to peer groups or support groups in your area

• Teach self-advocacy skills so that your patients can better communicate what they need and feel more confident.

Teach people how to build and maintain fluency 

As a speech and language therapist, you will likely assist patients, possibly children with a stammer, in learning how to speak with fluency. People who struggle with stuttering or similar problems have trouble speaking smoothly at a normal rate of speed, also known as fluency. Sometimes when a patient has suffered a stroke or has some other neurological condition, they may also have trouble with fluency. Speech and language therapists may use techniques like breathing exercises, syllable stretching, and strategies like speaking in shorter sentences to help their patients speak confidently and avoid hesitations and filler words in conversation. 

Essential skills of a speech and language therapist

Speech and language therapists must possess several critical skills, including active listening and compassion. As a healthcare professional, you tend to work with many people from different backgrounds, ages, and with differing needs or disorders. Some essential speech and language therapist qualifications include:

• Enthusiasm

• Compassion

• Active listening

• Critical thinking

• Decision-making

• Adaptability

• Leadership

• Creativity

• Verbal and written communication

• Time management

• Dependability

• Teaching

Education and licensing requirements

You must have acquired your speech and language therapy degree from a programme approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). If you’ve earned a degree in a language or science-based subject, you can apply for a fast-track postgraduate course in speech and language therapy that takes about two years to complete. Then, you’ll need to register with the HCPC. 

The undergraduate course is three to four years of full-time study, including clinical practice and theory. It’s also possible to complete an apprenticeship in which you’ll be paid for your work while also having time to study. The following three universities currently offer this degree apprenticeship: the University of Essex, Birmingham City University, and The University of Sheffield.

Once you’ve earned your degree, you must complete a background check. If you receive clearance, then you can register with the HCPC and begin working as a speech and language therapist.

Starting your speech and language pathologist career

Finding a mentor in a professional environment where you can see yourself working for years to come can be a helpful start as you begin your career as a speech and language therapist. If you need help deciding where you’d like to work as a speech and language therapist, who you’d like to work with, or the disorders you want to focus on, consider networking with people in the field and researching your options. Building relationships early in your career offers many benefits. 

Get clinical experience

Fortunately, clinical practice is a component of your undergraduate study, and it will occur in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, schools, and community health clinics. Your clinical experience as a clinical fellow can be an invaluable tool for helping you guide the trajectory of your career as a speech and language therapist. This experience acts as a bridge from learner to professional. Take full advantage of this experience. Try to choose a mentor working in a similar area to what you want as a speech therapist. If you plan to work with children, look for school clinical experiences. If you're going to work with neurological disorders or people recovering from a stroke, look for opportunities in hospitals or nursing homes.  

Network with people in the field

Networking with people in speech-language pathology can be an effective way to find employment or just to learn more about the field and create relationships with like-minded professionals who may help get your career started. You can network through social media or LinkedIn, attend networking events and conferences, or reach out via email or other means of communication. Professional speech-language pathology groups also offer meet-ups either online or in person.

How much does a speech and language therapist earn?

A speech and language therapist working in the UK earns an average annual salary of £36,426 [1]. These jobs are typically covered by the NHS’s Agenda for Change (AfC) pay rates and fall within nine bands of set pay.

Job outlook

 According to UCAS, 94 per cent of graduates find employment within six months [2]. Speech and language therapists are highly sought-after and competition for entry-level roles is fierce.

Next steps to becoming a speech and language therapist

Take the next steps to become a speech and language therapist by researching the profession and finding out what you’d like to do within the field. Do you want to work with children? Senior citizens? Stroke survivors? As you earn your formal education as a prospective speech and language therapist, consider enrolling in courses that may help you learn more about the field and your options. 

On Coursera, you’ll find courses specifically designed for future and current professionals in language and audiology, like Voice Disorders:What Patients and Professionals Need to Know or Introduction to Hearing Loss, both offered by Mount Sinai. Be proactive and learn as much as you can, whether in the middle of your journey to becoming a speech and language therapist or just getting started.