Using Amazon Reviews in Speech Therapy
Everyone loves a good Amazon review. It seems like we have all had a good chuckle with the Shake Weight or Banana Slicer reviews. Have you thought about using Amazon reviews in speech therapy? If not, you are missing out on an engaging and dynamic resource that clients of all ages love. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, I love them too because they are a quick go-to and keep my clients entertained while addressing a variety of goals.
Amazon reviews provide a unique platform for language exploration. They offer authentic language samples, varying tones, and opportunities for critical thinking. Not only do they keep clients engaged, but they also provide a relatable context for practicing speech and language skills.
5 Strategies for Using Amazon Reviews in Speech Therapy:
Negative or Positive: Evaluating Tone and Impact
Have the client read the reviews and use context clues to determine if the review has a positive tone or a negative tone. Discuss the impact of both types of reviews on the sale of the product.
Genuine or Sarcastic: Enhancing Social Language Skills
Take the previous strategy a step further and have the client read the reviews and use context clues to determine if the review is genuine or sarcastic. This is great for clients working on social language goals or inferencing. You may need to discuss the meaning of genuineness and sarcasm as well as a few clues to look for ahead of time.
Articulation: Practicing Speech Sounds with a Twist
Looking for a short reading passage to practice speech sound targets? Amazon reviews offer short reading passages that can be tailored to your client’s needs. Break apart the reviews to create passages that allow clients to practice their speech sounds while enjoying a laugh together.
Inferencing: Developing Critical Thinking Skills
Many reviews don’t explicitly state all the information. Have clients use context clues to infer missing details. Prompt them to speculate on aspects such as the reviewer’s needs, satisfaction levels, and potential next steps.
Accent Modification: Vocal Dynamics Practice
Utilize Amazon reviews as versatile tools for accent modification. Have clients read passages with different emotions – ranging from happiness and anger to annoyance and confusion. Through this exercise, they can practice both segmental (speech sounds) and suprasegmental (intonation, stress) goals in connected speech within a structured context.
A Word of Caution: Be Mindful of Content
While Amazon reviews are a treasure trove of fun material, remember to pre-read the reviews before using them in therapy. Some reviews may contain colorful language or inappropriate content that isn’t suitable for therapeutic contexts.
Amazon reviews are a goldmine waiting to be explored in the realm of speech therapy. They combine entertainment with skill-building, making them an invaluable addition to your toolkit. Whether you’re focusing on reading comprehension, social language skills, articulation, inferencing, or accent modification, Amazon reviews offer a lot of possibilities. So, dive in, have fun, and watch your clients thrive in their speech and language journey! How do you use Amazon reviews in sessions? Let us know below.
Looking for other ideas for speech therapy? Check out my post 7 Ways to Use Google in Speech Therapy or 7 Ways to Use Tik Tok in Speech Therapy.