How to Help Teens Prepare for Professional Communication

As teens approach adulthood, developing strong professional communication skills becomes essential for success in job interviews, internships, and future careers. Speech therapists (SLPs) can play a key role in preparing teens for these demands by focusing on the specific and functional social language and skills needed for professional settings. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), speech therapy can help teens improve verbal and nonverbal communication, build confidence, and navigate workplace interactions (ASHA, 2023).

Assessing Professional Communication Skills

To identify areas for improvement, SLPs assess a teen’s communication strengths and challenges. ASHA suggests using tools like the Social Communication Assessment and informal interviews to gauge how well a student can engage in formal conversations, ask questions, and respond appropriately to workplace scenarios (ASHA, 2023). This evaluation often includes an assessment of verbal fluency, articulation, and conversational skills, as well as nonverbal cues such as eye contact and body language. Other tools and screening checklists are available.

Treatment Exercises for Professional Communication

Once areas for improvement are identified, SLPs use targeted treatment exercises to help teens develop the skills needed for professional communication. One effective technique is role-playing job interviews or workplace conversations in a structured setting, where teens practice responding to common interview questions or workplace scenarios. ASHA emphasizes that practicing real-world interactions in a functional and supportive setting helps teens build confidence in professional settings (ASHA, 2023).

SLPs may also use public speaking exercises to help teens improve articulation, volume control, and clarity when speaking to groups or colleagues. Practicing formal presentations or explanations of tasks helps teens adjust their communication style for different professional contexts.

In addition, SLPs may teach active listening strategies, which are essential for workplace communication. These strategies include asking clarifying questions, maintaining focus, and responding appropriately, ensuring teens can engage effectively with supervisors and colleagues.

Speech therapy offers valuable support in preparing teens for professional communication. With targeted assessments and practical treatment exercises, SLPs can help teens build the skills needed for successful interactions in job interviews and workplace environments.

References:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2023). Social Communication Disorders.