Advanced Course in Phonetic Transcription Skills to Support Clinical Practice

“Transcription informs every decision we take about intervention for a child when we tackle their speech sound problem. By carrying out and examining a transcription we come to understand a child’s speech profile, what we should do and what else we need to know.” (Child Speech Disorder Research Network, 2017, p. 1). However, once Speech and Language Therapists enter the workplace, competence in phonetic transcription skills can fade, bringing a loss of confidence in this vital and unique skill (Knight et al. 2018).

This course delivers progression training from Dr Sean Pert’s Transcription Refresher Course or for those already confident in the basics. It provides a more in-depth review of phonetic transcription skills. It supports Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) to review and update their perception and production of phonetic symbols from the IPA at single sound, single word and connected speech levels. The learning will also support SLTs to effectively and efficiently, select targets for intervention.

This course is predominantly practical. It has a combination of lecture-type materials alongside regular workshops that use general and clinical examples to support transcription practice. The emphasis will be on a positive, non-threatening, fun (!) learning environment.

During the course, you will revise:

• Major and minor (voice, place, manner) classifications for phonemes and apply this thinking to target selection
• Phonetic symbols for consonants using the IPA chart and, applying both narrow (using diacritics) and broad transcription to various exercises
• Vowels (and consider the vowel system/s in your current context) using the quadrilateral system
• Transcription of connected speech and the importance of connected speech processes

Course Times

The course duration is 9.30 am to 1.30 pm (UK Time) – For a list of course dates and times please go to the Booking page

Please book your place here or alternatively, you can contact us if you are you would like to:

• Book four or more courses (we can offer you a discount)
• Make a block booking for a group
• Book a closed course

1. Phonemes will be reviewed considering both major and minor (voice, place, manner) classifications.
2. Phonetic transcription of consonants will be revised using the IPA chart; working through the minor classifications of voice, place and manner. Both broad and narrow transcription will be used. Narrow transcription will focus on diacritics relevant to each classification, and to some specific areas of SSD; providing you with focused learning to support your clinical thinking (not necessarily with the expectation of full adoption of narrow transcription for all transcriptions moving forward!).
3. Vowels will be revised using the quadrilateral system to support understanding, learning, transcription of local vowel system/s, and interpretation of vowel data.
4. Transcription of connected speech and the importance of connected speech processes will be reviewed.
5. Principles influencing target selection in relation to phonetics/phonology will be considered throughout.

This course is suitable for: Returners to Speech and Language Therapy, Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs), Speech and Language Therapy Students

This course is available on various dates throughout the year. To view available course dates, select your preferred date and book your place, please click here.

During the booking process, you can select to reserve a place instead (while you confirm you can attend or to organise payment through your employer for example). We can hold your place for up to four weeks, if we have not heard from you after this time, we may need to cancel your reservation so other people can attend the training.

Course Beetle is an approved supplier for NHS Trusts, Local Authorities and Schools.