PLMISLR: Introduction to Speech and Language Pathology

Module code: PLMISLR

Module provider: Clinical Language Sciences; Sch of Psych and CLS

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Lotte Meteyard, email: l.meteyard@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 23 October 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The aim of this module is to provide students with an introduction to a range of speech and language conditions and disorders found in adults and children; to relate these findings to their knowledge of linguistics and psychology about normal speech and language processing. The students would learn about speech and language therapist’s role in assessments and management various conditions and different settings. Students would also gain insights into problems of identifying and classifying normal and abnormal speech and language, and into the broader consideration of cognition in speech and language impairments. Through their coursework the module aims to develop critical reasoning, argumentation, and academic writing skills. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Identify and interpret major types of speech and language impairments in adults and children
2. Identify the linguistic characteristics of each of these types in the speech and  language behaviour of individuals
3. Appraise critically the causes of these impairments and the conditions associated with them
4. Organise their knowledge and articulate their arguments effectively

Module content

An introductory session will cover levels of breakdown in human communication in terms of linguistic description and basic neurology for speech and language. Examples of speech-language impairments and conditions to be could range from adult speech language disorders subsequent to brain diseases, such as aphasia, dementias, to developmental conditions such as DLD, autism, dyslexia.  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures

Study hours

At least 20 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Practise with mock assignment question and discussion with the lecturer. Feedback on coursework plan. 

Reassessment

Additional costs