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Using language sampling in clinical assessments with bilingual children: challenges and future directions
Vera F Gutiérrez-Clellen1, Gabriela Simon-Cereijido
1San Diego State University, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, California 92182-1518, USA.
Seminars in Speech and Language
|October 24, 2009
Summary
Spontaneous language samples improve language impairment identification in Spanish-English children. Analyzing verb morphology and mean length of utterance (MLU) offers key diagnostic insights for English and Spanish language development.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Current language tests for Spanish-English children lack accuracy and intervention planning utility.
- Spontaneous language samples offer a more accurate method for identifying language impairments in bilingual children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe diagnostic indicators for language assessments using spontaneous language samples in Spanish-English bilingual children.
- To enhance the accuracy and intervention planning capabilities of clinical language assessments.
Main Methods:
- Analyzing verb morphology composite measures and mean length of utterance (MLU) for English development.
- Developing procedures for analyzing Spanish language samples, including MLU, grammatical accuracy (articles, verbs, pronouns), and verb argument structure.
- Utilizing a rubric for assessing verb argument structure.
Main Results:
- Verb morphology and MLU provide valuable diagnostic information for English development in bilingual children.
- Specific indicators for Spanish language analysis include limited MLU, ungrammatical utterances, grammatical inaccuracies, omitted theme arguments, and limited use of ditransitive verbs.
- Verb argument structure analysis using a rubric offers a standardized assessment tool.
Conclusions:
- Estimated scores on morphological and syntactic measures can increase the sensitivity of clinical assessments for young bilingual children.
- Further research is needed for older school-age children, exploring additional language measures.
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