


Belize: Immersive Workshop on Cultural and Linguistic Diversity for slp
Join us July 21-27th, 2024. Professionals earn 3.0 ASHA CEUs (30 hours) and graduate students can earn 3-graduate credits through hands-on presentations, visits to historical and cultural sites, and interactions with people and the local languages.
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, and graduate SLP students will have an opportunity to travel to the beautiful riverside town of San Ignacio, Belize and explore new places, cuisines, cultures, ways of living, and approaches to supporting individuals with disabilities. This week long program offers 30 hours of continuing education for SLPs and and the opportunity for SLP graduate students to earn 3 Credit Hours. 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.
Register Now
The total program fee is $2,500 and includes transportation to and from the *airport in Belize City (Airport Code: BZE), local transportation to all program events, hotel (double occupancy), breakfast, lunch, and snacks at the conference, and all cultural events included in the program. The remainder of the program fee will be collected 90 days prior to travel. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us at 949-423-6165 *Transportation from BZE is included.
Join us in San Ignacio, Belize July 21-27, 2024

It's Time to Travel Again. It's Time to Learn More About Each other. It's Time To Grow Your Network of Globally-Minded & Growth-Oriented Colleagues
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.



Webinar What? Zoom Who? Wouldn’t you rather earn up to 30 hours of CE in a single week or 3 Credit Hours and gain hands-on experience?
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 your 3-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.
Immersion in Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
DAY 1
- Arrival to Belize
- Welcome to Conference, Overview and Goals
DAY 2
- Speech-Language Evaluations with Students who Speak a Language You Don’t.
- Language and Cultural Influences in the Dominican Republic
- Visit markets and Mayan archeological sites with local liaisons and guides.
DAY 3
- Difference or Disorder for Speech & Language
- Hands-on Case Studies to Determine Speech Sound Disorders
- Confidently separate differences caused by second language influence from true disorder.
- Spend the day participating in cultural activities with a Mayan women’s collective.
DAY 4
- Practical Dynamic & Informal Assessments
- Identify if a child should qualify, how much support they need, and how to determine what goals to write.
- Work with teachers and health care professionals in local villages.
DAY 5
- Intervention strategies with diverse learners
- Choose and create therapy programs that account for language influence and cultural differences.
- Spend the afternoon at the University of Belize learning and sharing your knowledge with local teachers.
DAY 6
- Full Day Field Trip: Ethics, Culture, and Views on Disabilities
- Friday we leave the classroom behind and spend the last day together visiting the Belizean cultural center and learning about the Garifuna language, culture & music. We also hear from individuals with disabilities and their service providers.
DAY 7
- Return Home
Program Pricing and What's Included
The total program fee is $2,500 and includes transportation to and from the airport in Belize City, local transportation to all program events, hotel (double occupancy), breakfast, lunch, and snacks at the conference, and all cultural events included in the program.
Space is very limited and will be on a first-come basis. Previous workshops have sold out in 2-3 weeks.
Here’s how to get started:
Follow the link below register and pay a $500 deposit.
Once your registration is confirmed, you will receive a detailed email from Therapy Abroad, including information on flights, traveling with friends & family, and how to prepare for your trip. You will book and pay for your flight to Belize City (airport code: BZE) separately.
Important Note:
Safety is a systematic and comprehensive process and we understand that safety concerns are a part of planning for any overseas travel. As such, we have made safety our highest priority. We have organized this program from beginning to end so that we can account for all of the details. Our goal is to provide you with a smooth and worry-free educational travel experience and portal for professional development.
Program price includes:
- Pre-Departure Support
- 24/7 In-country Support
- Beach Side 4 Star Accommodation (2 Bed Shared)
- Most Meals
- All domestic Transport
- Private Guides
- All coursework
- Professional Facilitators
- All Activities listed in the Schedule
- 30 Hours of ASHA CEUs
- Certificate in Cultural & Linguistic Diversity
- 3 Graduate Credit Hours-Transcript From Salus University(Graduate Students Only)
What’s Not Included:
- International Flights to BZE
- Travel Insurance
- Single Supplement (Private) Room + $500
- Friends and Family Price =$1,750
Can my partner, friends, or family come along? Travelling with someone who is not a speech-language pathologist? Friends and family can attend for $1,750 USD and get transportation to and from the airport, lodging, some meals, and the opportunity to participate in cultural activities with you.
Is there a refund policy and what about COVID? Therapy Abroad has held events during and since the pandemic. They choose countries that have been hyper-vigilant about health and safety because of their dependence on tourism. We are confident this trip will be a success. If it is cancelled, you are guaranteed a full refund.
FAQs
Everything except international flights, travel insurance (optional), and a few meals.
Yes! Friends and family members are welcome. After you register you can let us know how many people will be joining you and if they will require their own room or will share with you. Non-program guest will pay $1,750. This includes everything in the itinerary that is not part of the CEU programming
We have graduate students and professional SLPs. Ages range from early 20’s through to70’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 hotel with western-style showers, toilets, and facilities. Located in the heart of San Ignacio the accommodation is within walking distance to dozens of restaurants, 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 30 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.
Questions About Covid-19
- We highly recommend COVID-19 vaccinations for all travelers
- COVID compliant airport pick-up and transfer to hotel
- COVID-safe conference space and facilities as well as access to masks, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies according to country and location-specific standards.
- Access to COVID testing
- Medical and accident insurance that covers COVID-related illness
- Cultural activities and reflection that emphasize safe, local exploration geared to the specific context of being abroad
We recognize not everyone is going to feel comfortable traveling abroad despite the risk mitigation outlined above. Should you register for this program and then choose to defer to a future program we will work with you to make that happen. We want everyone to have an amazing experience and that means feeling good about their travel decisions.
At Therapy Abroad, we also believe that we are all part of a global community and that we have some shared responsibilities as part of that community. Our programs are all about people –working with people, helping people, sharing ideas with people, and learning from people. Thank You

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.