Imitative versus spontaneous language assessment: A comparison of CELI and LARSP

Abstract

Previous studies have shown high correlation between imitation tests and other tests of expressive language. The present study compares one child's performance and relates this to his general linguistic ability. LARSP was found to reflect his ability quite well but CELI grossly underestimated it. We hypothesised that the morphological bias of CELI was responsible, and further investigation confirmed this. Yet the pattern and range of syntactic structures found in the spontaneous sample was confirmed and extended by CELI. Imitation tests can therefore usefully supplement spontaneous-sample assessment, but require a more purely syntactic basis of scoring.

Mothers' Judgement Of The Representativeness Of Their Sons' Language Samples In Relation To

“…A 1997 survey revealed that 85% of speech-language therapists in the United States of America use language samples during language assessment with children (Kemp and Klee 1997). One reason for the frequent use of language samples is the limitations of standardised language tests (cf., amongst others, Hawkins and Spencer 1985). Another reason is the lack of assessment tools, especially culturally fair ones, for clients from nonmainstream groups (Peña, Quinn, and Iglesias 1992;Toronto and Merrill 1983).…”