TerapistaRae

Gandalf-Thanks for the refresher! Although I know firsthand about evaluating clients in their native language (my boss only knows English and I frequently evaluate Spanish-speaking clients under his supervision), I'm two years out of undergrad and a bit rusty! Hi everyone else! Good luck on your application process!

NCAR823, I think it's awesome that you work in a Montessori school! It was a brief experience for me (about 5 months as the twice-a-week Spanish teacher), but it had a lasting impact on me. The creative learning style, the independence, and the behavior of the children was remarkable! I'm considering sending my future offspring to one after such a positive experience teaching there! As far as bilingual programs go, you should try if it's something you're interested in. The demand is enormous, and there are 3 companies I know of (Bilingual Therapies, EBS Healthcare, and another one I can't think of right now) that offer scholarships for people who gain entrance into a bilingual master's program, provided you work for them for a year or so after you graduate. I love the idea of eventually pursuing my PhD as well! (It seems we have a lot in common ) I found an awesome one at University of Texas San Antonio (and a similiar one in San Diego as well) that focuses on LIteracy, Culture, and Language (my three favorite things ). Depending on how things go, I might go the school-setting/home-health route for a few years and go back to school As far as the question about your presentations, I would put that not only are words different in different languages, but so are ways of thinking. For example, my boyfriend always asks me if I have "hen (chicken) skin" (piel de gallina) and if I didn't know Spanish, I might look at him strangely. But since I do, I know he means "goose bumps/flesh". It's something small, but it just shows you that people in different cultures have different schema for interpreting their world, and these cannot be ignored. Most people (even those who have high levels of proficiency in all their languages) tend to dominate in one or the other. They may have splinter skills in some languages (able to speak, but not read and write, or vice-versa). But I think the most important thing to stress is something you probably already know: There is a huge difference between language differences and language DISORDERS, and this is largely undertaught to schoolteachers (most of them learn educational theories that are tried and true on middle class Caucasian children and therefore are culturally biased or failing to take into account a myriad of confounding factors. There are a ton of articles on ASHA to this effect that could also help you guys. But knowing things like the fact that /l/ and /r/ in Chinese are allophones helps us to realize that a Chinese child calling "rice" "lice" is doing exactly what their brain has been trained to do in their native language I wish you the best of luck in applying and keep me posted! Rachel

Sorry for the lack of picture! My name's Rachel, and I live in Houston, Texas. Here are some of my stats/why I want to be a SLP, etc. Stats: *3.9 GPA -2 Bachelor's Degrees-Spanish and Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Central Florida *GRE: 147-Quant, 160-Verbal, 5.0 Analytical Writing. I know my math score isn't stellar, but I think the others overshadow it. I used the Kaplan guide (found it to be marginally helpful), the Cliff Notes Math For Standardized Tests (awesome, although not comprehensive; a great review and well-worth 10 bucks), and my favorite, Manhattan Prep's 5 lb book of GRE Practice Problems (literally, 5 pounds of practice! not much in the way of review, but ENORMOUSLY helpful, especially in the writing section and for more complex problems the others don't cover). Experience: I have been a Spanish teacher to high school students, preschool (Montessori), and school-age (elementary school) students, as well as a tutor. I lived in Spain for 6 months and taught English at a K-12 charter school that had integrated classrooms with supports for children on the autism spectrum. In undergrad, I worked in a day school that served children with cerebral palsy. I also did volunteering, tutoring, and student teaching related to teaching (since SLPA positions weren't available to undergrads). I am currently working as an early-childhood intervention home health speech language pathology assistant (what a mouthful!). I LOVE my job! I treat 85% of my clients in Spanish. I drive to their homes, I have 10 clients, and it's been an excellent opportunity to get to know families and patients, as well as a new culture (I studied in Spain, but now I'm an expert in Mexican customs! ). On my caseload, I have kiddos with severe autism, apraxia of speech, mixed language disorders, artic from chronic ear infections (formerly hearing-impaired), and typical delays as well. My supervisor is a guy (what a rarity!) who has 13 years experience and has taught me so much about making materials and how to make therapy successful! Research Interests: Culturally/linguistically diverse populations, (bilingual) literacy, accent reduction/modification, child language, learning disorders, ECI (early childhood intervention), creating culturally-sensitive (unbiased) materials for therapy Where I'm applying: 8 schools (my undergrad institution and 7 in Texas): Texas Christian University, Texas State University: San Marcos, University of Houston, University of Texas: Austin, Texas Woman's University, University of North Texas (Denton), Our Lady of the Lakes University, and University of Central Florida. The grand majority of those schools have a focus in bilingual speech-language pathology. My first choice are Houston and San Marcos, but I would LOVE to get into TCU or UT Austin as well. The others are safety schools (especially the ones in Denton, since they don't offer bilingual/multicultural specializations). Anyone else applying in Texas? Anyone else focusing on the bilingual component? Anyone stressed about studying? I'd love to hear from everyone! Rachel

I'd be interested! You can shoot me an email at maestra.rae@gmail.com.