Abstract
This paper explores current thinking on adult learning and discusses its application to the clinical education of speech and language therapy students. It is based on evidence from a two-year project funded by the Trent Regional Consortium, which is trialling an innovative means of providing paediatric placements. The educational literature has recognised for some time the importance of student-centred teaching and learning and has encouraged movement away from a didactic teacher-student model to one where students are seen as active in the learning process. This paper offers a model as to how these principles may be applied to clinical placements to promote self-directed lifelong learning and to prepare speech and language therapists to meet the challenges of continuing professional development and the ever-changing working environment.