Exploring the Classification Accuracy of the Early Communication Indicator (ECI) With Dual-Language Learners From Latinx Backgrounds

2021 ◽  
pp. 153450842110271
Author(s):  
Marika King ◽  
Anne L. Larson ◽  
Jay Buzhardt
Keyword(s):  
Language Learners ◽  
Classification Accuracy ◽  
Dual Language ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Parent Report ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Language Delay ◽  
Dual Language Learners ◽  
Early Communication ◽  
Language Screening

Few, if any, reliable and valid screening tools exist to identify language delay in young Spanish–English speaking dual-language learners (DLLs). The early communication indicator (ECI) is a brief, naturalistic measure of expressive communication development designed to inform intervention decision-making and progress monitoring for infants and toddlers at-risk for language delays. We assessed the accuracy of the ECI as a language-screening tool for DLLs from Latinx backgrounds by completing classification accuracy analysis on 39 participants who completed the ECI and a widely used standardized reference, the Preschool Language Scales, 5th edition—Spanish, (PLS-5 Spanish). Sensitivity of the ECI was high, but the specificity was low, resulting in low classification accuracy overall. Given the limitations of using standalone assessments as a reference for DLLs, a subset of participants ( n = 22) completed additional parent-report measures related to identification of language delay. Combining the ECI with parent-report data, the specificity of the ECI remained high, and the sensitivity improved. Findings show preliminary support for the ECI as a language-screening tool, especially when combined with other information sources, and highlight the need for validated language assessment for DLLs from Latinx backgrounds.

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

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.

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

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.

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

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (14) ◽  
pp. 29-40 ◽  
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.

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

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.

Influences of the home language and literacy environment on Spanish and English vocabulary growth among dual language learners

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 27-39
Author(s):  
J. Marc Goodrich ◽  
Christopher J. Lonigan ◽  
Beth M. Phillips ◽  
JoAnn M. Farver ◽  
Kimberly D. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Language Learners ◽  
Dual Language ◽  
Home Language ◽  
Dual Language Learners ◽  
Language And Literacy ◽  
Literacy Environment ◽  
Vocabulary Growth

Accuracy of the Core Language Score of the CELF P2UK in Identifying Language Delay in Children from a Disadvantaged Community in Ireland

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Jennifer Keogh ◽  
Fiona Gibbon ◽  
Cara Teahan
Keyword(s):  
Screening Tool ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Identification Accuracy ◽  
Language Delay ◽  
Disadvantaged Community ◽  
The Core ◽  
Normal Language ◽  
Core Language ◽  
Low Sensitivity ◽  
Language Screening

Objective: To determine if the Core Language Screen, a widely-used language screening tool, accurately identifies language delay in children from a disadvantaged community. Method: Participants were 234 children with mean age 4;07 years attending primary and preschools in a city area designated as disadvantaged in the south of Ireland. Participants were assessed on the CLS (screen) and full CELF-P2UK (gold standard) test. Sensitivity and specificity levels of the CLS were calculated. Main results: In total, 73 (31%) children had language delay on the CELF P2UK but of this group 34 (47%) passed the CLS screen. This gives the CLS a low sensitivity level of 0.53. In contrast, only one child with normal language failed the screen. This gives the CLS an excellent specificity level of 0.99. The results revealed an unusual profile of weaker receptive compared to expressive skills in all children, although it was particularly evident in those with language delay. Conclusion: The CLS failed to identify almost half the group with delays and therefore is not an accurate language screening tool for clinical or research purposes. Further research is needed to investigate not only the poor identification accuracy of the CLS but also the children’s unusual profile of weaker receptive and stronger expressive language skills.

English Narrative Language Growth Across the School Year: Young Spanish–English Dual Language Learners

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Wood ◽  
Mary Claire Wofford ◽  
Clariebelle Gabas ◽  
Yaacov Petscher
Keyword(s):  
Language Learners ◽  
Dual Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Developmental Differences ◽  
Dual Language Learners ◽  
School Year ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Language Growth ◽  
Story Elements

This study aimed to describe the narrative retell performance of dual language learners (DLLs) in the fall and spring of the school year and examine predictive relationships. Participants included 74 DLLs in kindergarten and first grade from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Microstructural measures included number of different words (NDW), words per minute (WPM), and verb accuracy. Macrostructural measures included number of total story elements and number of different types of story elements. Path analysis models were used to test the relations among variables. Findings indicated that narrative measures were sensitive to developmental differences across the school year. Fall NDW performance in narrative retells was moderately related to both spring NDW and the total number of macrostructural elements in the spring. Spring WPM was uniquely predicted by fall WPM. Authors concluded that narrative retells are sensitive to developmental differences across a school year for DLLs. Findings support the use of narrative retell measures as a promising tool to examine and describe English language growth of young DLLs within a school year.

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