International Conference on Multilingual Practice in Speech-Language Pathology
Immersive clinical learning and international collaboration in Costa Rica
Join us July 19-24, 2026, in Costa Rica. Professionals earn 2.0 ASHA CEUs (20 hours) through interactive workshops, visits to community health centers, rainforest and wildlife excursions, and cultural immersion in Costa Rican traditions. Earn a certificate in cultural & linguistic diversity while networking with professional SLPs from around the world. This year we have chosen a beachfront resort with lush tropical rainforest and pristine beaches. This unique setting offers a balance of professional development, cultural immersion, and leisure, with direct access to white-sand beaches and wildlife-rich reserves.
Costa Rica Awaits! Learn From Each Other. Expand Your Global Perspective. Travel With Intention, Return With Purpose.
Per ASHA (2020), developing cultural competence is a dynamic and complex process requiring ongoing self-assessment and continuous expansion of one’s cultural knowledge. It evolves over time, beginning with an understanding of one’s own culture, continuing through interactions with individuals from various cultures, and extending through one’s own lifelong learning. Cultural competence is increasingly important to eliminate long-standing disparities in the health status of people based on racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.
Cultural humility goes beyond cultural competence. It is a dynamic and lifelong process focusing on self-reflection and personal critique, acknowledging one’s own biases. This program seeks to help professionals grow through an immersive, relevant, and impactful experience.
Coursework is designed to bridge theory and practice, providing evidence-based practical tools that you can immediately put to use in your practice as a speech-language pathologist while broadening your cultural perspectives and experiences.
Our workshops are packed with video case studies, discussion points, and opportunities for active learning. Below is an outline of the courses. Part of the day will be spent in the classroom focusing on coursework in cultural and linguistic diversity. The rest of the day we will apply information from our coursework with culturally relevant and enriching activities, including the work with our community partners, local schools, and non-profit organizations while learning about local culture, religion, and customs.
This program is a collaboration between the internationally recognized innovators at Bilinguistics and the award-winning study abroad program facilitators at Therapy Abroad. Speech-language pathologists, university faculty, and graduate SLP students will have an opportunity to travel to the beautiful west coast of Costa Rica and explore new places, cuisines, cultures, ways of living, and approaches to supporting individuals with disabilities. This program offers 20 hours of continuing education for SLPs. This experience is designed to address all of the competencies in cultural and linguistic diversity outlined by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), and many more competencies that will advance your cultural humility.
Join us in Costa Rica July 19-24, 2026. This experience is open to professional SLPs, SLP Graduate students, friends and family.
** University Faculty can reach out to us for special group pricing. Join other universities that incorporate this content into their summer clinical programs or offer it as a short-term experience for students to learn about cultural & linguistic diversity for Slp.
Speech Meets Beach. Earn CEU hours where the rainforest meets the ocean. Wouldn’t you rather earn up to 20 hours of CEU, learn, connect, and explore Costa Rica in one unforgettable week?
Attendees will receive a Certificate in Cultural and Linguistic Diversity that covers the information you need to confidently diagnose and treat diverse populations and provides all the CEUs you need for up to a 2-year earning period. Enjoy all that the country has to offer -food, culture, and amazing activities. Here is a snapshot of what we will be doing.
Each morning of this program, attendees will be immersed in an interactive discussion series (see topics below) and each afternoon, there are activities planned for everyone.
Bring your spouse, friends, and family! We have family rooms available and family-friendly afternoon activities planned. Enjoy the week with family and friends or use this week to kick off a longer adventure around.
Why Costa Rica?
Our goal is that you return to your work re-energized to serve your incredible caseload with fresh tools to understand cultural & linguistic diversity—so you can confidently dismiss more kids who don’t truly have a disorder.
Costa Rica is known for its rich Indigenous and Afro-Caribbean heritage alongside Spanish influence. Deepening our understanding of these experiences helps us better connect with the multilingual families we serve.
Costa Rica is famous for its pura vida spirit—you’ll experience it through the warmth of its people, colorful festivals, and traditional foods.
Rainforests, volcanoes, and beaches—this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to blend professional learning with the natural beauty of Costa Rica.
It’s a perfect jumping-off point for more adventure—add extra days to visit Panama, Nicaragua, or explore more of Costa Rica’s breathtaking national parks.
Tenative Itinerary
DAY 1
July 19, 2026
Arrival, Check-In, Orientation & Welcome Dinner
- Arrival to San Jose, Cost Rica
- Check Into Crocs Hotel, Jaco Beach
- Welcome to Conference, Overview and Goals
- Welcome Dinner
DAY 2
July 20, 2026
Difference or Disorder: Speech Development in Dual Language Learners
DAY 3
July 21, 2026
Difference or Disorder – Language
DAY 4
July 22, 2026
Perfecting Referrals, Mastering Re-Evaluations, and a Free Afternoon to Play!
DAY 5
July 23, 2026
Literacy-Based Intervention, Curriculum-Based Intervention, Beach BBQ Dinner
Program Pricing and What's Included
Pricing & Packages
Choose the package that best fits your travel style and comfort preferences.
All options include:
✅ 5 nights’ accommodations at Croc’s Resort & Casino in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica
✅ Daily breakfast, 3 group lunches, and 2 dinners
✅ All conference sessions, local transportation, and scheduled activities
✅ Airport transfers and on-site Therapy Abroad staff support
🧑⚕️ Participant Packages
| Package | Room Type | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Experience | Shared Mountain View Room | Enjoy all conference activities, meals, and shared accommodations with one other participant in a comfortable Mountain View room. | $2,500 |
| Ocean Experience | Shared Ocean View Room | Upgrade to an ocean-view room shared with one other participant for added comfort and scenic views of Jaco Beach. | $2,650 |
| Premier Experience | Private Ocean View Room | Indulge in a private ocean-view room for ultimate comfort and relaxation during your stay. | $2,950 |
👨👩👧 Family & Guest Packages
Guests are welcome to join participants and enjoy all group meals, scheduled activities, and transportation.
Guests do not participate in CEU or professional development sessions.
💡 Notes:
Prices are per person and based on double or single occupancy as listed.
A $500 deposit is required to reserve your space.
Balance is due 60 days before departure.
All prices include hotel accommodations, meals listed above, activities, and conference programming.
Airfare is not included.
FAQs
Everything except international flights to San Jose International Airport, travel insurance (optional), and a few meals.
Yes, deposit payments are refundable within 30 days of registration. After 30 days your deposit is transferable to another program but not refundable.
Yes! Friends and family members are welcome. Friends and Family can book their packages the same way you do. Just make sure they chose one of the friends & family spots. These spaces will include all of the accommodations, all activities, and included meals. Everything except the CEU courses. Spaces for friends and family are limited so make sure they book at the same time as you
We have graduate students and professional SLPs. Ages range from early 20’s through to 70’s! We welcome a diverse range of ages and encourage professionals to join at any age or stage in your career.
Local accommodations will be a 4-Star beach front hotel only 1-hour from San Jose. Walkable to everything including restaurants, bars, markets, coffee shops, shopping, etc.
Bilinguistics reports courses to ASHA within 45 days of the end of the event. As an example, if your course ends at the end of July, your courses will be reported to ASHA no later than mid-September.
.1 ASHA CEU is equal to one hour of professional development.
Participants will be provided a link and code to obtain their certificates on the last day of the program.
All participants are required to attend 7 of the 10 activities in order to receive partial credit.
If you attend all events you will receive 20 ASHA CEUs.
No, we will have excursions, workshop with community partners, visit local historical sites, enjoy activities that will all earn CEUs as well.
No, we will tour facilities and have the opportunity to speak with people who work there, but we will not provide any direct therapy services.
No, we will discuss assessment and intervention as it relates to monolinguals and bilinguals who speak a range of languages.
The Certificate in CLD is a way for you to show your employers and clients that you have taken courses that address the ASHA competencies in Cultural and Linguistic diversity.
A Note To Graduate Students & Clinical Directors
We know that for many graduate students with classes and clinics, travel during the summer can be a challenge. We currently only offer this 5-day program one time per year. Why do we do this if we know the timing is bad?
Because for working professional SLPs, the timing is perfect. The goal of this program is to get a really diverse group of people together to learn from each other in a culturally rich and diverse place. Everyone will get CEUs including those needed for the new ASHA DEI Certification and a certificate of cultural & linguistics diversity from Bilinguisitcs. For graduate students, we want this event to be the highlight of your journey to becoming an SLP and a truly unique learning environment for everyone involved. This only works if we have a really good combination of professionals and graduate students together and learning from each other. In addition to learning this content, it’s also an amazing way for graduate students to build their professional network, gain mentors in the field, and even find potential CF placements. We know it is a challenge because of the summer clinic and class schedule, but we would love to work with you to make this trip possible. The content, professional experience, and networking go above and beyond anything that is currently offered for graduate students at a typical conference. We hope you will consider making this a part of your graduate school experience.
DISCLOSURE OF FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS: Ellen Kester, Ph.D., CCC-SLP. Dr. Ellen Kester is the owner of Bilinguistics and receives a salary. Bilinguistics receives royalty payments for online courses. DISCLOSURE OF NONFINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS: Ellen Kester does not have any non-financial relationships to disclose.
DISCLOSURE OF FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS: Scott Prath, M.A., CCC-SLP is a salaried employee of Bilinguistics. Bilinguistics receives royalty payments for online courses. DISCLOSURE OF NONFINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS: Scott Prath does not have any non-financial relationships to disclose.