What Is a Speech Instructor and How to Become One
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What Does a Speech Instructor Do?
As a speech Instructor, also called a speech teacher or speech-language pathologist, you teach a variety of communication skills to students. In many cases, this takes place in one-on-one sessions instead of in a classroom because the disability causing the speech impediment requires a significant amount of personal attention. In this career, you usually work in a school setting because linguistic issues are generally easier to adjust while someone is still a child. A few non-school positions, such as private therapists, do exist. Many therapy sessions you run may need to be tailored to the student due to speech impediments having unique background circumstances.
How to Become a Speech Instructor
The minimum qualifications to become a speech instructor include a master's degree in a relevant field. You provide therapy to individuals with a wide range of speech impediments, and the extra years of training are a critical part of your future success. Most (but not all) states also require licensing, and further certification is optional. Aside from teaching people the skills they need to overcome their impediments, your responsibilities may also include staying on top of new developments and therapies so you can ensure you're always providing the best treatments. Because you are likely to work with children, being patient and understanding with minors is vital.
