As depicted in the 2014 film The King’s Speech, King George VI famously declared, “I have a right to be heard. I have a voice!” And thanks to speech therapy services in 1920s London, the king did indeed find his voice. This class explores the changing world of healthcare through the lens of speech-language therapy services. You will meet with therapists and advocates for speech therapy while also visiting the Royal College of Speech Language Pathology. This class will help you understand the experiences of speech-language patients and provide perspectives on aspects of the British National Health Service to compare and contrast with the “open-market” healthcare system in the U.S.

• Explore the evolving landscape of European healthcare systems post-Brexit, delving into the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) and its provision of speech-language pathology services.
• Explore facilities catering to different age groups, from children's hospitals to geriatric care homes, and witness firsthand the impact of speech therapy across the lifespan.
• Discuss cutting-edge research and treatment at renowned institutions like the Palin Centre for Stammering, situated in the heart of London.
• Gain valuable insights by comparing speech-therapy practices depicted on screen and their real-world application.
• Ring in the New Year with fireworks above Buckingham Palace.