McGill SCSD Teaching Clinics: Meeting the English-language needs of SLP students and Quebecers with communication disorders

The McGill School of Communication Sciences and Disorders (SCSD) is the only English-language program in Quebec training speech-language pathologists, placing it in a critical position to meet the province’s demand for English-language services.

However, the high level of French proficiency required for internships in Quebec health institutions often limits students’ access to specialized clinical placements. Many SCSD students enter the program without sufficient French fluency, placing them at a disadvantage despite efforts throughout their training to meet licensing requirements.

To address this, the project creates internship opportunities where students can work with English-speaking clients, supporting the dual goals of training future bilingual professionals and providing essential services to Quebec’s underserved English-speaking population.

Services will be delivered both in person and remotely via telepractice, ensuring accessibility across the province. Outreach through clinical organizations and English community groups will further expand access, allowing English-speaking individuals, regardless of location, to receive care. By combining targeted training with direct service delivery, this initiative strengthens student competency while meeting a critical community need for speech-language pathology services in English.