Communication and Language Assessment Tool

[Rob6692]

Hello all,

 

I'm currently in a preschool setting for my Early Years Teacher Training and I'm acting as a Key Person for some children. One child has EAL and I'd like to conduct a communication and language assessment/audit to gauge his levels of development. He's going to school this September and has a rather 'fleeting attention', does anyone have any suggestions for what I could use?

 

Since I'm making a topic, I'm also required to create a resource to support communication and language development. I'm going to try to create something to support the aforementioned EAL child, does anyone have any ideas? What has worked well for you?

 

Thank you in advance!

[mundia]

HI there. This 'every child a talker' booklet might be useful, old now but some ideas to get you started.

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/2011/10/every-child-a-talker-guidance-for-early-language-lead-practitioners/

 

Many LAs developed their own monitoring tools so maybe worth asking yours if they have one but here's the national strategies

 

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/2011/10/every-child-a-talker-child-monitoring-tool/

 

We usually recommend that you find out from parents where possible what their language at home is like, to gauge if there are any language development difficulties in their home language.

hope that's helps to start with.

[Guest]

We use lots of makaton signs and symbols and then role modeling language, repeating, extending and commentating all recommended by SAL therapists. Lots of praise for good talking, singing nursery rhymes. Also use a talking photo album to record things in home language from mum.

We create a communication book for each individual child with SAL difficulties with photos and makaton so that a child can communicate by pointing and we can use whilst talking.

Just a few things that may help?

[Guest]

Also this

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/2011/10/supporting-children-learning-english-as-an-additional-language/

[Rob6692]

Thanks for the responses! I use Makaton quite frequently and have a small key chain of cards with symbols that I can use. The monitoring tool is interesting to see a more specific breakdown of speech sounds, thanks

I'm specifically looking for some means of testing his understanding though. I'm sure I've used something before where you have objects/pictures and ask questions that test their understanding - does anyone know what I mean?

[finleysmaid]

you might find something here.....

 

http://wsh.wokingham.gov.uk/learning-and-teaching/mea/eal/new-arrivals-toolkit-primary/

[sunnyday]

Thanks for the responses! I use Makaton quite frequently and have a small key chain of cards with symbols that I can use. The monitoring tool is interesting to see a more specific breakdown of speech sounds, thanks

I'm specifically looking for some means of testing his understanding though. I'm sure I've used something before where you have objects/pictures and ask questions that test their understanding - does anyone know what I mean?

Rob - I know exactly what you mean - at least i think I do! :1b

 

I use a Communication screen - this was provided many, many moons ago by SALT - I could always send you a hard copy if you pm your address - nothing on computer I'm afraid - however it wouldn't be a lot of use because you wouldn't have the pictures/cards that go with it.........

 

Not sure which part of Kent you are - but I would try your local SALT team

[FSFRebecca]

The book that I have just reviewed gives an excellent description of the journey to language communication - it might help. You can read the review here

[finleysmaid]

Elklan also have an excellent assessment...do you have anyone you could get it from Rob?

[Aunt Sally]

I'm specifically looking for some means of testing his understanding though. I'm sure I've used something before where you have objects/pictures and ask questions that test their understanding - does anyone know what I mean?

How about the BPVS

http://www.gl-assessment.co.uk/products/british-picture-vocabulary-scale-third-edition

[Rob6692]

Please excuse my unresponsiveness, dissertation hand in and all that! I found what I was looking for in the end, the setting already had the kind of tool I wanted and intended on carrying it out with the child I had in mind anyway

 

How about the BPVS

http://www.gl-assessment.co.uk/products/british-picture-vocabulary-scale-third-edition

That looks like the right sort of thing, though it seems I would have to take out a mortgage to buy it!

[Mouseketeer]

We also use the ECAT tool, though I've never understood why the 'social communication' aspect wasn't just included in CL with the other 3 aspects.

[CGPlaygroup]

Does any one know where you can get a copy or download a copy of Jolly Jellyfish, mine has sadly met a watery end.

[Rafa]

Sorry CGplaygroup never heard of it - but loving the sound of Jolly Jellyfish!! Shall watch to see.......

 

welcome to the group by the way : )

[CGPlaygroup]

Rafa, thank you. I managed to find a copy. Jolly Jelly fish is a little like the Letters and Sounds document, but not is as much detail and has good ideas and suggestions for activities.