The Profile of Multiple Language Proficiencies: A Measure for Evaluating Language Samples of Deaf Children

Abstract

This article reports the process of creating a developmental measure that assesses the multilingual capabilities of deaf children and the problems that were encountered. Because deaf children may be using more than one method of communication (e.g., sign language skills and spoken language skills), it is important to evaluate their skills as completely as possible. In a pilot study, we used a nominal scale that assessed language skills based on a single continuum, with good English and good American Sign Language (ASL) skills as its two extremes and approximately equal skills in both as the midpoint. In the main study, a more complete measure was created, the Profile of Multiple Language Proficiencies (PMLP). The PMLP uses a single scale that represents the different stages of language development that can be observed in both English and ASL. The PMLP showed reasonable initial reliability and has good promise as an easy-to-use measure of developing language skills in children who use multiple modalities of communication. Using the PMLP as a prototype, we discuss some of the issues that influence the reliability and validity in evaluating such a scale and how these can be overcome or avoided.

Writing profiles of deaf children taught through British sign language

“…It is important to obtain larger samples of writing and analyse how well these levels describe child BSL users' performance. Second, we recognise that a measure obtained under time constraints is necessarily a measure of performance, not a measure of competence (Goldstein and Bebko, 2003), and thus we could underestimate the children's writing skills. However, if the best possible…”

The impact of language skills on mental health in teenagers with hearing impairments

“…spoken and/or signed language. The Profile of Multiple Language Proficiencies (PMLP) (16) was created by Goldstein and Bebko to assess language skills in both modalities by use of a single scale that represents eight different stages of language development. These stages of language development can be rated independently for spoken and signed languages.…”

Sign language assessment tools for children – a review

“…Przedstawiając narzędzia do oceny znajomości języków migowych, nie można pominąć również testów umożliwiających badanie sprawności tworzenia i rozumienia komunikatów nie tylko w zakresie danego języka wizualno-przestrzennego, lecz także innych kodów komunikacyjnych. Do tego typu narzędzi należą: wspomniany wcześniej PERLESKO [24] oraz Profile of Multiple Language Proficiencies (PMLP) [25]. PERLESKO jest stosunkowo prostym i łatwym w użyciu narzędziem, które zostało stworzone w celu monitorowania rozwoju językowego niesłyszących dzieci (w zakresie leksyki) jednocześnie w niemieckim języku migowym (DGS) oraz języku niemieckim w mowie i piśmie.…”