# Speech and language therapists’ perceptions of corporate practice in South Africa

## TL;DR

South African speech and language therapists see potential in corporate practice for improving workplace communication but face challenges like limited awareness and training.

## Contribution

This study explores South African speech and language therapists' perceptions of corporate practice, highlighting barriers and opportunities in a multilingual context.

## Key findings

- Participants emphasized the relevance of corporate speech and language therapy in multilingual corporate environments.
- Barriers include limited public awareness, misconceptions, and insufficient academic training for corporate practice.
- There is a need for inclusive service delivery models and greater recognition of corporate speech and language therapy.

## Abstract

Corporate speech and language therapy (CSALT) is an emerging field that extends the role of speech and language therapists (SALTs) into corporate environments, enhancing workplace communication and interpersonal skills. While internationally recognised, CSALT remains underexplored in South Africa, where linguistic and cultural diversity present challenges and opportunities for its integration.

This study aimed to explore South African SALTs’ perceptions of CSALT.

A qualitative research approach was employed, grounded in a constructivist paradigm. Semi-structured interviews with seven SALTs were conducted and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The study was conducted through remote interviews via Microsoft Teams.

Participants emphasised the relevance of CSALT in enhancing workplace communication, particularly in multilingual and culturally diverse corporate environments. Essential competencies for effective CSALT practice included business acumen, voice training and cultural competence, with a strong focus on understanding corporate communication styles. However, several barriers to CSALT were noted, such as limited public awareness, misconceptions about CSALT, accessibility challenges and insufficient academic preparation. Participants highlighted the need for greater recognition of CSALT and the development of more inclusive service delivery models to support its integration.

CSALT can potentially improve workplace communication and inclusivity in South Africa. However, its growth is hindered by accessibility challenges and a lack of CSALT-specific training. Addressing these barriers could support its integration into national workforce development strategies.

This study highlights the potential to expand SALTs’ scope of practice and contribute to the global discourse on speech and language therapy in corporate health.