Impact of Discourse Type and Elicitation Task on Language Sampling Outcomes

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Impact of Discourse Type and Elicitation Task on Language Sampling Outcomes
Language: English
Authors: Spencer, Trina D., Tolentino, Trina J., Foster, Matthew E.
Source: Grantee Submission. Nov 2023 32.
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2023
Sponsoring Agency: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Contract Number: R305A180037
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Kindergarten
Primary Education
Descriptors: Discourse Analysis, Story Telling, Language Usage, Task Analysis, Language Tests, Kindergarten, Elementary School Students, Second Languages, Speech Communication, Phrase Structure, Comparative Analysis, Vocabulary Skills, Scores, Syntax, English, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Spanish, Language Acquisition, Native Language, Student Characteristics, Computational Linguistics
DOI: 10.1044/2023_AJSLP-22-00365
Abstract: Purpose: Language sampling is a critical component of language assessments. However, there are many ways to elicit language samples that likely impact the results. The purpose of this study was to examine how different discourse types and elicitation tasks affect various language sampling outcomes. Method: A diverse group of K-3 students (N = 1,037) contributed eight spoken language samples in four elicitation conditions: (a) expository generation, (b) expository retell, (c) narrative generation, and (d) narrative retell. Samples were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded for number of total words, number of different words, mean length of utterance in words (MLUW), and number of clauses per communication unit (i.e., Subordination Index [SI]). Results: Narrative retell and expository generation conditions yielded the largest samples with the greatest lexical diversity when compared to narrative generation and expository retell. MLUW was higher in expository conditions, but mean SI was higher in narrative conditions. For both measures of syntax, narrative retell and expository generation yielded the highest mean scores. For each out-come, there were expected increases corresponding to grades; however, the differences faded between second and third grade. Conclusion: As a component of language assessments, clinicians' selection of language sampling procedures will impact the sample length, lexical diversity, utterance length, and syntactical complexity of the samples. [This article was published in "American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology."]
Abstractor: As Provided
IES Funded: Yes
Entry Date: 2023
Accession Number: ED634091
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Purpose: Language sampling is a critical component of language assessments. However, there are many ways to elicit language samples that likely impact the results. The purpose of this study was to examine how different discourse types and elicitation tasks affect various language sampling outcomes. Method: A diverse group of K-3 students (N = 1,037) contributed eight spoken language samples in four elicitation conditions: (a) expository generation, (b) expository retell, (c) narrative generation, and (d) narrative retell. Samples were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded for number of total words, number of different words, mean length of utterance in words (MLUW), and number of clauses per communication unit (i.e., Subordination Index [SI]). Results: Narrative retell and expository generation conditions yielded the largest samples with the greatest lexical diversity when compared to narrative generation and expository retell. MLUW was higher in expository conditions, but mean SI was higher in narrative conditions. For both measures of syntax, narrative retell and expository generation yielded the highest mean scores. For each out-come, there were expected increases corresponding to grades; however, the differences faded between second and third grade. Conclusion: As a component of language assessments, clinicians' selection of language sampling procedures will impact the sample length, lexical diversity, utterance length, and syntactical complexity of the samples. [This article was published in "American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology."]
DOI:10.1044/2023_AJSLP-22-00365