Speech and language therapy

Speech and language therapy consists of:

• preventing, assessing and treating impairments and disorders of the voice, articulation and speech, as well as those associated with understanding and expressing oral and written language,
• providing training in other forms of non-verbal communication to add to and be used in place of patients’ existing methods of communication,

As part of their job, speech and language therapists take the psychological, social, economic and cultural aspects of their patients into account, from all ages of their life.
In order for speech and language therapists to be able to achieve these skills, the content and form of the initial education is determined accordingly: theory classes, seminars, practical placements.

Speech and language therapy is correcting disorders that affect the voice, articulation, oral and written language through rehabilitation techniques. For example, this could refer to:

• language disorders: delayed oral language disorder; speech disorders from sensory problems (deafness, hearing loss) or neurological problems (cerebral palsy); stuttering; written language disorder (dyslexia, dysorthography); language disorders resulting from neurological impairment (aphasia)
• voice disorders: professional vocal fatigue; rehabilitation after throat surgery
• articulation disorders (sigmatisms, lisps) or due to congenital defects (cleft lip and palate) 

recapitulatif-stagesvalidation_2023_-_2024.pdf (pdf 543.13 Ko)

1^st Year: S1

As part of the training for the speech and therapy qualification certificate, 1st year students must complete a 2-day (or 4 half-day) shadowing placement with a qualified audiologist.
The purpose of this placement is to allow students to observe the difference in patients, comparing them before and after treatment in longitudinal follow-up, while studying the theory element of the course at the same time. Accreditation for the placement will take these 2 days (or 4 half-days) of shadowing and the student’s attendance into account.

1^st Year: S2

In the second semester, 1st year students must complete an introductory placement in a school setting. This placement, for 120 hours or 30 half-days, preferably in nursery or primary classes, is intended to allow students to observe children attending nursery and/or primary school while learning the theory element of the course at the same time. Accreditation for the placement will take into account the evaluation of the placement report by the placement supervisor and the student’s attendance. It will be logged on the accreditation form provided for this purpose.

2^nd Year: S3

The 1st semester placement in L2 (2nd year of speech and language therapy studies) is a 120 hour or 30 half-day introductory placement.
This placement takes place in a care home and in an early childhood care facility, i.e:
* 60 hours or 15 half-days in care homes
AND
* 60 hours or 15 half-days in early childhood care facilities

 Objectives of the placement:

• To learn about how the institutions run and are structured,
• To be aware of your place as a third party,
• To learn life skills from the relevant groups and professionals,
• To develop links between academic knowledge and the reality of the situation in the field,
• To get into a pattern of learning more and furthering your knowledge by reading more and looking up more information.

2^nd Year: S4

The S4 placement of the 2nd semester of L2 in speech and language therapy studies is a 120 hour or 30 half-day introductory placement in a private practice and care facility:
* 80 hours or 20 half-days in a private practice with a speech and language therapist approved by the University Department of Speech and Language Therapy [D.U.E.F.O in French] (list for speech and language therapists practising as a freelancer in Paris and in the suburbs and approved by the D.U.E.F.O available on SAKAI. For speech and language therapists practising in the provinces, you can request the list by indicating the desired department(s)).
AND
40 hours or 10 half-days in care facilities. The following are considered as care facilities: EEAP [for children and adolescents with multiple disabilities] , FAM [nursing home for adults], IME [medical institute for children with multiple disabilities aged 0 to 18], IEM [establishment for people with a mobility impairment], SESSAD [Special needs and home help services], CAMSP [early onset monitoring of young children susceptible to certain difficulties], CMP [psychology centres], CMPP [Institute for young people with learning and behaviour difficulties], EPAHD [care home for dependent elderly people], MAS [centre for dependent people with severe disabilities] and SSR [care and rehabilitation centre]. Note, it is not possible to do a placement in a hospital. In care facilities you can be supervised during your placement by all the health professionals that work there. If your placement supervisor is a speech and language therapist, they must have more than three years’ experience and be approved by the D.U.E.F.O.

 Objectives of the placement:

• To discover and actively observe the clinical setting of speech and language therapy,
• To identify the different professionals working with the patient and to understand their role,
• To learn about how different establishments and institutions work,
• To observe the different stages of the professional practice

3^rd Year: S5

The S5 university degree placement in the 1st semester of L3 in speech and language therapy studies is an introductory placement with a speech and language therapist, accredited by the D.U.E.F.O., working as an employee (in an institute, centre or hospital).
This placement must only relate to “Child Psychiatry/Neonatology/Disability” or “ENT/Surdity/Maxillofacial”. From S6 (2nd semester of L3) onwards, it will be possible to do a placement in neurology.
Note: for this placement, a placement report is not required but a rehabilitation report (editorial quality and wealth of the data collected) is, which will be one of the supervisor’s assessment criteria for the placement.

Duration of the placement: 210 hours or 52 half-days.

Objectives of the placement:

• To discover and observe speech and language therapists’ clinical work,
• To acquire interpersonal skills with the patient and their friends and family,
• To adopt the role of an active observer,
• To meet the different professionals involved with the patient and to understand their role,
• To learn about speech and language therapists’ clinical and administrative responsibilities.

3^rd Year: S6

The S6 placement of the 2nd semester of L3 in speech and language therapy studies is a clinical placement with a speech and language therapist, accredited by the D.U.E.F.O., working as an employee (in an institute, centre or hospital) or as a freelancer.

If this placement is carried out in a care facility, accreditation may be received for one or more fields: either “Child psychiatry/neonatology/disability” or “ENT/Surdity/Maxillofacial” or “Neurology/Geriatrics”.
The three areas must only be validated by a registered speech and language therapist working as an employee (in an institute, centre or hospital) before the end of the M2 year [second year of masters]. Accreditation is received for a field after a minimum of 140 hours of placement.

Note: a placement report is not required for this placement but an assessment report (editorial quality and richness of the data collected) will be one of the supervisor’s assessment criteria for the placement.

Duration of the placement: average placement is 210 hours or 52 half-days

Placement objectives:

• The placement’s specific objectives will be chosen on the assessment table at the beginning of the placement.
• To establish links between the theory element and clinical practice;
• To establish initial contact with patients, caregivers and care professionals;
• To understand the role of a caregiver;
• To acquire expertise and interpersonal skills;
• To analyse professional practices with the placement supervisor;
•  To address ethics and legislation that are directly related to clinical practice;
• To be trained in maintaining and monitoring medical files.

Elements of the placement content:

The student’s role is to actively observe and to help in sessions under direct supervision.

• Attendance at examination and treatment sessions;
• Handling the speech and language therapists’ examination equipment and tools;
• Consulting files and learning how to maintain and monitor a file;
• Activities students will also be involved with;
• Attendance at various patient-centred meetings and sessions.
• Presentation of the clinical situations encountered during the placement.

Educational recommendations for the placement:

It is recommended that the student is in regular contact with the placement supervisor so the student can further their knowledge, gain perspective on therapeutic follow-up, explain certain situations, participate in care activities under direct supervision, raise any questions or doubts and so they can gain experience in a professional environment.

The clinical situations they experienced during the placement and the questions they raised must be able to be presented and worked on in small groups.

It is the both the placement supervisor and the student’s responsibility to prepare the student for helping with the care process beforehand and to discuss the results after the activity.

Placement assessment method:

The assessment is formative and normative.
The student is required to complete an assessment report. This report will be assessed by the placement supervisor.
The placement supervisor will then fill in an accreditation form.

4^th Year: S7

Clinical placement 2 in a private practice and/or in a care facility

If this placement is carried out in a care facility, they may receive accreditation for one or more fields: either “Child psychiatry/neonatology/disability”, “ENT/Surdity/Maxillofacial”, or “Neurology/Geriatrics”. The three areas must only be validated by a registered speech and language therapist working as an employee (in an institute, centre or hospital) before the end of the M2. A field is validated from a minimum of 140 hours of placement.

Duration of the placement:short 90 hour or 22 half-day placement.

Placement objectives:

This clinical placement is a continuation of the care experience.

The placement’s specific objectives must be chosen on the assessment table at the beginning of the placement.

• To put theory into practice;
• To reflect on the concept of autonomy and the responsibilities of a caregiver;
• To work on how students communicate and relate with patients, caregivers and health professionals;
•  To further develop expertise and interpersonal skills;
• To develop skills for assessing patients, determining a diagnosis and planning a therapeutic treatment plan;
• To learn to rely on the interprofessional partnership;
• To encourage students to consider matters from a more ethical perspective and to better understand the concept of care;
• To adopt professional etiquette;

Elements of the placement content:

The student’s role is to work with the patient under direct supervision and to apply the theory they have learnt in a clinical context.

• Attending speech and language therapy sessions and examinations;
• Attending various patient-centred meetings and sessions;
• Handling and analysing material;
• Consulting and analysing files;
• Preparing clinical activities;
• Creating materials based on the patient’s needs;

The activities carried out are based on the skills to be acquired for the speech and language therapy assessment, evaluation and diagnosis.
The placement supervisor is free to choose the tasks they would like the student to do under direct supervision.

It is the both the placement supervisor and the student’s responsibility to prepare the student for carrying out this work beforehand and to discuss the results afterwards.

Educational recommendations for the placement:

It is recommended that the student is in regular contact with the placement supervisor so the student can further their knowledge, gain perspective on therapeutic follow-up, explain certain situations, participate in care activities under direct supervision, raise any questions or doubts and so they can familiarise themself with a professional environment.

The clinical situations they experienced during the placement and the questions they raised must be able to be presented and worked on in small groups.

Students receive direct supervision.

Placement assessment method:

• Assessment is formative and normative.
• The student is required to complete a placement report. This placement report will be assessed by the placement supervisor.
• The placement supervisor fills in a validation form.

Placement assessment criteria:

• Quality of the placement report (quality and wealth of the data collected);
• Observation, analysis, review and interpersonal skills.

Introduction to research placement

Placement location in a research facility or in a university hospital department.

Placement duration: short 120 hour or 30 half-day placement.

Placement objectives:

The purpose of this placement is to introduce students to research in a laboratory.

• To make students aware of the context for this scientific research;
• To contribute to research;
• To start developing and presenting scientific works;
• To understand the role research plays in professional practice.

Elements of the placement content:

• Introduction to a laboratory, research project and call for bids;
• Introduction to technical tools and methodologies;
• Seminars, meetings and group dynamics;
• Participation in work in the laboratory.

Educational recommendations for the placement:

This placement can last the whole semester.

The placement supervisor must be a professional with a known research speciality.

Placement assessment method:

The student is required to complete a placement report. This report will be assessed by the supervisor and will be marked out of 20. A mark out of 20 for “involvement in research” will also be awarded by the tutor.

The placement supervisor fills in a validation form.

Placement assessment criteria:

• Quality of the placement report (quality and wealth of the data collected);
• Observation, analysis, review and interpersonal skills.

4^th Year: S8

Clinical placement in a private practice or care facility

If this placement is carried out in a care facility, one or more fields may be validated : either “Child psychiatry/neonatology/disability” or “ENT/Surdity/Maxillofacial” or “Neurology/Geriatrics”. The three areas must only be validated with a registered speech and language therapist working as an employee (in an institute, centre or hospital) before the end of the M2. Accreditation is received for a field after a minimum of 140 hours of placement.

Duration of the placement: 300 hour or 75 half-day long placement.

Placement objectives:

The placement’s specific objectives must be chosen on the assessment table at the beginning of the placement.

• To apply the theory learnt to a clinical context;
• To gain experience in care;
• To understand the role of a caregiver and to adopt professional etiquette;
• To further develop expertise and interpersonal skills;
•  To master the steps to follow from initially examining the patient to implementing therapeutic treatment;
• To know how to follow the patient’s course of treatment within a multidisciplinary team.

Elements of the placement content:

The student holds a pre-professional position under the placement supervisor’s supervision. This supervision helps the student gradually become more independent in their clinical practice.

The tasks carried out correspond to the required skills for developing and implementing a therapeutic treatment plan

• Present and involved in assessments and speech and language therapy sessions;
• Choice of materials, tools and methods;
• Preparation of clinical activities and treatment sessions;
• Consulting and analysing files.

Educational recommendations for the placement:

It is recommended that the student is in regular contact with the placement supervisor so the student can further their knowledge, gain perspective on therapeutic follow-up, explain certain situations, raise any questions or doubts and so they can gain experience in a professional environment.

It is recommended that the student holds indirect supervision sessions to allow them to practise in a clinical environment that is intensive enough that they can achieve autonomy and to develop and improve their professional etiquette and clinical responsibility.

The clinical situations that come up during the placement can be the subject of group analysis work during the tutorials.

Placement assessment method:

Assessment is formative and normative.

The student is required to complete a placement report. This placement report will be assessed by the placement supervisor.

The placement supervisor fills in an accreditation form.

Placement assessment criteria:

•  Quality of the placement report (quality and wealth of the data collected);
•  Observation, analysis, review and interpersonal skills.

5^th Year: S9

Placement requirements: thesis or clinical placement (in a private practice or care facility)

Duration of the placement: average placement is 200 hours or 50 half-days

If the student’s thesis from the end of their studies which was carried out at the same time as the placement, results in them passing tests/the necessary requirements, they are accredited with 200 hours from the dissertation supervisor. These hours correspond to the hours spent preparing, receiving credits and passing tests/ requirements for the final thesis.

If the thesis is not conducive to passing any tests/requirements, credits still need to be acquired for these 200 hours in a clinical placement with an accredited speech and language therapist.

5^th Year: S9-S10

Clinical placement in a private practice or care facility

This clinical placement is a long placement that takes place over 2 consecutive semesters on the same placement site, meaning patients can be monitored regularly and a general overview of measures adopted in speech and language therapy can be acquired.

Duration of the placement: 550 hour or 138 half-day long placement.

These 550 hours can be split into several different placement locations BUT STUDENTS MUST DO AN ANNUAL PLACEMENT (around 1 or 2 days a week or more in 2018/2019) for at least 7 months.

Placement objectives:

Students adopt a professional role under the placement supervisor’s supervision. This supervision helps students become gradually more independent in their clinical practice.

• To allow students to embrace and master the clinical practice of speech and language therapy independently:
• Professional autonomy, decision-making, planning, relating to patients, examining, assessing and diagnosing;
• Determining and implementing a treatment plan;
• Keeping health records, relationships with other professionals, partnerships and working together;
• Compliance with institutional regulations and procedures;
• Respect for professional practice regulations and codes of ethics.

Elements of the placement content:

The student joins a department or practice where they will have to be a member of medical staff under their placement supervisor’s supervision.

They have access to the files and will be assigned to monitor one or several patients.

Educational recommendations for the placement:

It is recommended that the student has regular meetings with the placement supervisor.

Students must be able to practise independently with lots of opportunities for providing feedback and support.

The clinical situations they experienced during the placement and the questions they raised must be able to be presented and worked on in small groups.

Placement assessment method:

• Assessment is formative and normative.
• The student is required to do a dissertation.
• The placement supervisor fills in an accreditation form.