| Abstract [eng] |
A Proper selection of speciality is a basis for the welfare of the state and society. Qualitatively and with enthusiasm working specialist honestly represents his/her profession. Rather often the selection of the profession is determined not only by the calling and having of preconceived future goal but on occasional factors dependent on certain circumstances, as well. Though the speciality of a speech therapist is relatively young, probably no one can imagine today’s educational institution without a speech therapist. This factor is determined by increasing number of children with speech and communication disorders. The opinion of speech therapists and the students of speech therapy studies on the majority of professional peculiarities are not yet fully investigated, therefore this remains a relevant contemporary problem. The aim of the Master’s thesis is to find out how the speech therapists and the students evaluate Special Education (speech therapy) study programme and to reveal the significance of the practical training of speech therapists during the studies. The speech therapist working in Šiauliai, Kuršėnai, Radviliškis, Telšiai and Plungė towns and districts as well as the third and fourth year students of special pedagogy (speech therapy) study programme of the Faculty of Social Welfare and Disability Studies, Šiauliai University, participated in the evaluation of the study programme of speech therapy. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed. 199 properly filled in questionnaires were returned. In addition, the content analysis was also carried out. The questionnaire survey aimed to explore the most necessary competences and abilities of the speech therapists being developed during studies. The speech therapists and the students were asked to evaluate themselves (i.e. their abilities). Moreover, the respondents’ opinion on practical tasks, the difficulties encountered during practice and its benefits was also investigated. The students and the speech therapists assessed the necessity of all the subjects of the curriculum of the Special Education study programme (specialization – speech therapy) in speech therapists work. Furthermore, all the respondents were asked to submit proposals on what changes should be made in Special Education (speech therapy) study programme and practice. The research has revealed that from students and speech therapists’ point of view, the necessity of subjects constituting the study programme depends on their direct significance to the practical work of the speech therapist. The results of the research show that the practice performed during studies has a great importance to the preparation of the speech therapists. Speech therapists consider that during practice students are interested in the achievements of their pupils and can warmly communicate with them. In addition, the following difficulties arising during practice have been observed: lack of practical skills and difficulties in preparing the educational (workshop) plans. The aim of the research – i.e. to find out how the speech therapists and the students evaluate the Special Education (speech therapy) study programme and to reveal the significance and importance of the practical training of speech therapists during the studies, was achieved. The analysis of the data of quantitative survey let us to conclude that the students and speech therapist positively assess the modules of speech therapy study programme. Moreover, they provide different proposals for the improvement of speech therapy study programme and speech therapists practice. |
