Early Language Interventions for Young Dual Language Learners: A Scoping Review

Purpose The purpose of this systematic review was to determine what bilingual or home language interventions have been found to be effective for 2- to 6-year-old dual language learners who have language impairment (LI) or are at risk for LI. Method We conducted ancestral searches and searches of electronic databases, hand-searched article bibliographies, and searched 19 journals for experimental, quasiexperimental, or single-subject studies. Results The review yielded 26 studies that were coded for quality, frequency and duration of the intervention, number of participants, location of intervention, interventionist, language(s) of intervention, and reported or calculated effect sizes. Studies were grouped by those that focused specifically on at-risk populations and those that focused on children with LI. Emerging trends provide support for bilingual and/or home language interventions for both children with LI and those at risk for LI. Conclusions There were relatively few studies that met inclusion criteria, and the average quality rating for a study was 6.8 out of 9.0 possible points. More high-quality research is needed, particularly with populations that speak languages other than Spanish. Clinicians need more evidence-based recommendations to improve the language and literacy outcomes of the diverse range of dual language learners served in the United States and abroad.

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Social Validity in Early Language Interventions for Dual Language Learners: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Topics in Early Childhood Special Education ◽

10.1177/0271121419901289 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 39-51

Author(s):

Anne L. Larson ◽

Zhe Gigi An ◽

Carla Wood ◽

Yuuko Uchikoshi ◽

Lauren M. Cycyk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Language Learners ◽

Dual Language ◽

Social Validity ◽

Linguistically Diverse ◽

Intervention Research ◽

Dual Language Learners ◽

Early Language ◽

Post Intervention ◽

The Social

The social validity of intervention research has been emphasized in special education and related fields for decades. There is relatively little focus on social validity that considers culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Eleven articles met the inclusionary criteria for this systematic review and were evaluated to describe social validity in early language intervention research—specifically with young (birth through 5 years) dual language learners (DLLs). We examined how social validity was considered and addressed, how social validity was measured, and the results of social validity assessments. Definitions of social validity were generally vague, and researchers in most studies only considered social validity post intervention rather than prior to starting or during the interventions. Participants generally viewed interventions positively, but incomplete data were often reported.

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Preschool Language Interventions for Latino Dual Language Learners with Language Disorders: What, in What Language, and How

Seminars in Speech and Language ◽

10.1055/s-0035-1549110 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (02) ◽

pp. 154-164 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Gabriela Simon-Cereijido

Keyword(s):

Language Learners ◽

Dual Language ◽

Language Disorders ◽

Dual Language Learners ◽

Preschool Language ◽

Language Interventions

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Peer Effects on Early Language Development in Dual Language Learners

Child Development ◽

10.1111/cdev.13588 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Schmerse

Keyword(s):

Language Development ◽

Language Learners ◽

Peer Effects ◽

Dual Language ◽

Dual Language Learners ◽

Early Language ◽

Early Language Development

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Effects of a Supplemental Spanish Phonological Awareness Intervention on Latinx Preschoolers' Dual Language Emergent Literacy Skills

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2020_ajslp-20-00029 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 1283-1300

Author(s):

Xigrid T. Soto ◽

Andres Crucet-Choi ◽

Howard Goldstein

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Phonological Awareness ◽

Emergent Literacy ◽

Language Learners ◽

Literacy Instruction ◽

Dual Language ◽

Literacy Skills ◽

Dual Language Learners ◽

Probe Design ◽

Emergent Literacy Skills

Purpose Preschoolers' phonological awareness (PA) and alphabet knowledge (AK) skills are two of the strongest predictors of future reading. Despite evidence that providing at-risk preschoolers with timely emergent literacy interventions can prevent academic difficulties, there is a scarcity of research focusing on Latinx preschoolers who are dual language learners. Despite evidence of benefits of providing Latinxs with Spanish emergent literacy instruction, few studies include preschoolers. This study examined the effects of a supplemental Spanish PA and AK intervention on the dual emergent literacy skills of at-risk Latinx preschoolers. Method A multiple probe design across four units of instruction evaluated the effects of a Spanish supplemental emergent literacy intervention that explicitly facilitated generalizations to English. Four Latinx preschoolers with limited emergent literacy skills in Spanish and English participated in this study. Bilingual researchers delivered scripted lessons targeting PA and AK skills in individual or small groups for 12–17 weeks. Results Children made large gains as each PA skill was introduced into intervention and generalized the PA skills they learned from Spanish to English. They also improved their English initial sound identification skills, a phonemic awareness task, when instruction was delivered in Spanish but with English words. Children made small to moderate gains in their Spanish letter naming and letter–sound correspondence skills and in generalizing this knowledge to English. Conclusion These findings provide preliminary evidence Latinx preschoolers who are dual language learners benefit from emergent literacy instruction that promotes their bilingual and biliterate development.

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Dynamic Assessment Language Tasks and the Prediction of Performance on Year-End Language Skills in Preschool Dual Language Learners

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2019_ajslp-19-00120 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 1226-1240

Author(s):

Janet L. Patterson ◽

Barbara L. Rodríguez ◽

Philip S. Dale

Keyword(s):

Head Start ◽

Language Learners ◽

Language Impairment ◽

Dual Language ◽

Dynamic Assessment ◽

Dual Language Learners ◽

Achievement Testing ◽

Potential Applications ◽

Language Screening ◽

Relationship Of

Purpose Early identification is a key element for accessing appropriate services for preschool children with language impairment. However, there is a high risk of misidentifying typically developing dual language learners as having language impairment if inappropriate tools designed for monolingual children are used. In this study of children with bilingual exposure, we explored performance on brief dynamic assessment (DA) language tasks using graduated prompting because this approach has potential applications for screening. We asked if children's performance on DA language tasks earlier in the year was related to their performance on a year-end language achievement measure. Method Twenty 4-year-old children from Spanish-speaking homes attending Head Start preschools in the southwestern United States completed three DA graduated prompting language tasks 3–6 months prior to the Head Start preschools' year-end achievement testing. The DA tasks, Novel Adjective Learning, Similarities in Function, and Prediction, were administered in Spanish, but correct responses in English or Spanish were accepted. The year-end achievement measure, the Learning Accomplishment Profile–Third Edition (LAP3), was administered by the children's Head Start teachers, who also credited correct responses in either language. Results Children's performance on two of the three DA language tasks was significantly and positively related to year-end LAP3 language scores, and there was a moderate and significant relationship for one of the DA tasks, even when controlling for age and initial LAP3 scores. Conclusions Although the relationship of performance on DA with year-end performance varies across tasks, the findings indicate potential for using a graduated prompting approach to language screening with young dual language learners. Further research is needed to select the best tasks for administration in a graduated prompting framework and determine accuracy of identification of language impairment.

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Speech-Language Assessment Considerations for American Indian and Alaska Native Children Who Are Dual Language Learners

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/persp2.sig14.29 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (14) ◽

pp. 29-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Christine Vining ◽

Edgarita Long ◽

Ella Inglebret ◽

Megan Brendal

Keyword(s):

American Indian ◽

Language Learners ◽

Alaska Native ◽

Dual Language ◽

Linguistic Diversity ◽

Critical Role ◽

Language Assessment ◽

Assessment Process ◽

Dual Language Learners ◽

Native Communities

The overrepresentation of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children in special education, including children who are dual language learners (DLLs), is a major concern. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can play a critical role in reducing this overrepresentation. Using a holistic assessment process that is responsive to the communication patterns of home and community contexts provides a framework for distinguishing actual language disorders from differences associated with cultural and linguistic diversity. This article presents current trends in Native communities that may impact the speech-language assessment process, including a shift from indigenous languages to English and/or Native language revitalization efforts. It also provides a framework for guiding assessment in a manner that considers cultural and linguistic factors in speech-language assessment for AI/AN children who are DLLs.

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The Center for Early Care and Education Research: Dual Language Learners

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e584752012-165 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Dina C. Castro ◽

Margaret Burchinal

Keyword(s):

Education Research ◽

Language Learners ◽

Dual Language ◽

Early Care And Education ◽

Dual Language Learners ◽

Early Care

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Beyond the written word: The role of text on preschool teachers’ book sharing styles

Journal of Early Childhood Literacy ◽

10.1177/1468798420985168 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 146879842098516

Author(s):

Adina R Schick ◽

Lauren Scarola ◽

Silvia Niño ◽

Gigliana Melzi

Keyword(s):

Language Learners ◽

Picture Books ◽

Dual Language ◽

Preschool Teachers ◽

Literacy Skill ◽

Dual Language Learners ◽

Language And Literacy ◽

Literacy Skill Development ◽

Wordless Picture Books ◽

Book Sharing

Teachers’ sharing of picture books is a quintessential activity in early childhood classrooms, and has been found to be predictive of children’s language and literacy skill development. Although most research, to date, has focused on the manner in which preschool teachers share text-based books with their students, recent work has recommended that teachers include wordless books as part of their classroom book sharing routines. Yet, little is known about how the absence of text might influence teachers’ discourse styles. The present study, thus, explored the discourse styles used by preschool teachers of Latino dual-language learners when sharing both text-based and wordless picture books with their class. Results showed that, while there were common features across both book types, when sharing wordless books teachers tended to adopt a more co-constructive style, by asking questions and supporting children’s participation in the sharing of the story. At the same time, they were more likely to elicit predictions and analyses from the children. The findings highlight the importance of including wordless books in preschool classroom book sharing interactions, especially in classrooms serving dual-language learners.

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