The programme included presentations by mgr Dominika Ohana (Torrens University), mgr Agnieszka Chudecka (Flinders University), and Dr Mateusz Szurek (University of Lodz). The speakers addressed issues of migration, communication and linguistic adaptation, the relationship between language and national identity, strategies for coping with language barriers among older migrants, as well as the benefits of bilingualism. These topics are an important complement to the training of future speech therapists, preparing them to work in culturally and linguistically diverse environments.
Dr Mateusz Szurek from the Department of Polish Dialectology and Logopaedics coordinates and develops cooperation with Australian partners, underlining its importance for the quality of education:
Combining the potential of universities from different parts of the world allows us to better prepare future speech therapists for real-world professional challenges. The international dimension of such meetings is of immense value to students – it enables them to compare theoretical knowledge with practice, learn about different systems of care, education and therapy, and better understand the cultural determinants of language functioning. Sharing experiences broadens perspectives and results in better preparation for students' future professional practice. I am pleased that researchers and practitioners from Australian universities demonstrate a great openness to teaching initiatives aimed at future speech therapists and are committed to sharing their knowledge, scientific and professional experience. For me, as a researcher, the opportunity to implement such initiatives in dialogue with scientists from Australian universities has been a particularly valuable and inspiring experience for many years.
We would like to thank the speakers and representatives of the Speech Therapy Student and Doctoral Student Science Club of the University of Lodz for co-organising this inspiring meeting and we look forward to further joint initiatives.
Edit and photos: Department of Polish Dialectology and Logopaedics, University of Lodz
