Developing Cultural Intelligence in Preservice Speech-Language Pathologists and Educators

Abstract

Postsecondary educators preparing future clinicians and teachers have an important responsibility to develop cultural competence of their students in order to meet the increasing and ever-changing demands of today's global workforce and diverse workplace. In this article, the authors discuss key components to developing cultural intelligence. These include an awareness of multiperspective identity, an understanding of the concepts of privilege and difference, the development of one's diversity consciousness, and an understanding of and respect for the guiding principles of cultural competence that lead to an understanding of others. Application to practice is presented through multiperspective identity and role-play activities and a case study with questions for facilitating discussion.