Assessing professional competence in serving culturally and linguistically diverse populations: a study in Kerala

Author(s)	Ms. Sarah Mariam Kurian, Dr. Rohila Shetty, Dr. Vini Abhijith Gupta
Country	India
Abstract	Cultural and linguistic diversity (CALD) has become increasingly important in speech language pathology due to the growing number of multilingual and multicultural clients. This study explored perceived competence of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in working with culturally and linguistically diverse clients in Kerala. A structured questionnaire was administered to licensed SLPs to assess exposure to diversity, self-perceived competence, service delivery practices, training, challenges and professional attitudes. The findings indicated that clinicians generally reported positive perceptions of their competence and favourable attitudes toward culturally responsive practice. However, challenges such as limited culturally appropriate resources and insufficient continuing education were identified. The study emphasizes the need for enhanced cultural competence training and improved clinical resources to promote equitable and effective services for culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
Keywords	CALD, SLPs, Cultural Competence, Culturally Responsive Practice, Multilingual Clients, Professional Training, Service Delivery, Kerala.
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-07-14

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Advanced International Journal for Research