| SLT in the Singapore Context |
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Speech-Language Therapy in Singapore Multilingualism is very much the norm in Singapore. The
four official languages are English (language of administration), Chinese
(Mandarin), Malay (National language) and Tamil. Other dialects of Chinese
(eg Hokkien, Teochew) and other Indian languages are also encountered.
Recent Singapore statistics found that two out of three children now have
English as one of their home languages. It is therefore possible for therapists
who only speak English to manage paediatric caseloads. However, be aware
that Singlish
(colloquial English) does differ from standard English and can be a challenge
to understand at first! Understanding normal development of Singapore
English is important when evaluating any Singaporean client. There
are several published books and studies on Singapore
English. Treating in English presents more problems for those working
in the adult field as few older adults will speak more than a limited
amount of English. There is some facility to work with assistants who
speak the local languages, but this can be restricted, so referrals to
other therapists who are able to treat in those languages will be needed.
Working in Singapore provides a fantastic opportunity to learn about traditional Asian religious, social and cultural values, and adapt training and experience to accommodate these. Standardised tests with western-based norms have limited applicability, so creative informal evaluations and therapy materials need to be used too. Did you know?
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