Language Science Outreach
Bringing language science to K-12 classrooms, speech-language pathologists, and anyone else who will listen!
Speech-language pathology is what we call a "discovery major," meaning that students often do not discover it until they are in college. I was lucky enough to discover linguistics in middle school, and I've been passionate about it ever since. I've created interactive activities to bring linguistics and speech-language pathology into K-12 classrooms as part of career days, STEM nights, and guest speaker events. Students learn that their brain is the most important tool for science and they have a blast using the scientific method to discover principles of linguistics. I have visited more than 20 classrooms in 5 states, and would love to continue expanding my reach!
As a speech-language pathologist with a background in linguistics, I have experienced how an understanding of the science of language can inform my clinical practice. That's why I create materials and professional development activities for SLPs to empower them to engage with the scientific method and support them in applying research to practice.
Click on the images below to learn more about our Language Science Outreach efforts!
Classroom Visits
Kathleen is available for classroom visits to talk about careers in language science. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the study of language, her presentations are a fit for STEM nights, science class, language arts, world language, and even history! All activities involve students in age-appropriate guided problem-solving to discover principles about how language works. Students will gain an appreciation for the diversity of languages around the world and expand their view of science to see it as a method, not just a subject. See below for descriptions of our three most popular talks. We are happy to adjust the length and content of any talk to your group's needs.
History of English
Grades: 7th-12th
In this 45-minute lesson, students trace the history of English from Proto-Indo-European spoken on Mongolian Steppes in 4000 BCE to modern times. Students will learn how historical events and human geography have shaped our language, and they'll take on the role of early philologists to discover patterns in the historical sound changes of English!
Speech Detectives
Grades: 3rd-12th
In this 45-minute lesson, students will use the scientific method to investigate patterns to describe the ways that a character pronounces words differently. Specific takeaways are tailored to the grade and subject, and include: application of the scientific method to language, ways of describing language variation, and speech-language pathology as a STEM career.
Onomatopoeia Around the World
Grades: Kindergarten-4th
In this 30-minute interactive lesson, students will explore how we use our bodies to make language. We'll learn about onomatopoiea, why we have them, and how they vary across languages! Students will take away an appreciation for the similarities and differences across languages around the world.
SLPs who are interested in conducting similar visits can download some of these activities for free from Teachers Pay Teachers and even more from the Open Science Framework. Consider inviting me to give a talk to your organization, or sign up to be notified about my upcoming speaking engagements on this topic.
Gestalt Language Processing
Gestalt Language Processing and Natural Language Acquisition are currently hot topics in Speech-Language Pathology! I've created several informational resources to support clinical decision-making in this area. See below for informational resources I've created as well as speaking appearances related to GLP and NLA.
GestaltLanguageProcessing.org
I operate a website to address common questions and claims about Gestalt Language Processing and Natural Language Acquisition.
Autism New Jersey
We are proud that Kathleen was selected as a speaker for Autism New Jersey in October 2025, where she'll present her analysis of the research relating to Gestalt Language Processing.
Instagram Account
On the Instagram account @language_processing, we share research summaries and critical analyses.
Handouts
I have some paid and many free handouts and activities on my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.
ABA Speech Podcast Guest
I talked about Gestalt Language Processing on Episode 199 of the ABA Speech Podcast hosted by Rose Griffin.
Collaboration
In this webinar hosted by ABA speech, I discussed how to use the LEARN model to guide collaboration when there is disagreement about Gestalt Language Processing. The recording is available inside the ABA Speech Connection.
Resources
To improve how you communicate about language science
Resources other people have created:
High School Linguistics website by Amy Plackowski
Lingthusiasm: A podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics
How to Talk Language Science with Everybody, by Cecile McKee and Laura Wagner
Resources I created:
The Language Scientists: This was a collaboration with graduate students at the University of Maryland.
Our talk at the Linguistic Society of America Conference in 2022
Open access paper: Taking Linguistics To Zoom School
OSF repository
I also offer consulting in this area! If you are a researcher looking for help communicating your results, or you want to brainstorm ideas for that Outreach section of your grant, let's chat! Email me or fill out the form on my consulting page to get started.