Perceptions of a culturally responsive school-based oral language and early literacy programme

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Taneal Norman ◽  
Wendy M. Pearce ◽  
Fiona Eastley
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Early Literacy ◽  
Oral Language ◽  
Literacy Development ◽  
Culturally Responsive ◽  
Language And Literacy ◽  
Educator Perceptions ◽  
Literacy Programme ◽  
Australian Aboriginal ◽  
School Based

Abstract ‘Sounds, Words, Aboriginal Language and Yarning’ (SWAY) is a school-based oral language and early literacy programme based on Australian Aboriginal stories, knowledge and culture. It was developed by a multidisciplinary team in collaboration with Australian Aboriginal community members. SWAY aims to strengthen and support the communication skills of educators to facilitate language and literacy development of children in the early school years, particularly Australian Aboriginal children, within rural communities in New South Wales. Key features of SWAY include capacity building of educators and small group speech-language pathology intervention sessions, delivered remotely via telehealth. This study explored educator perceptions of SWAY training, mentoring and implementation, using a mixed methods approach. Findings revealed: use of culturally responsive strategies; positive educator perceptions of the SWAY programme, training and mentoring and positive changes to the confidence and behaviours of educators both supporting language and early literacy development, and embedding Australian Aboriginal perspectives in the classroom. Positive findings support and encourage the ongoing provision of SWAY. Findings also have implications for the future collaborative development and implementation of culturally responsive language and literacy programmes.

Factors affecting language and literacy development in Australian Aboriginal children: Considering dialect, culture and health

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwendalyn L Webb ◽  
Cori J Williams
Keyword(s):  
Oral Language ◽  
Literacy Development ◽  
Language And Literacy ◽  
Political Factors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Australian Aboriginal ◽  
Child Relationship ◽  
Oral Language Skills ◽  
Language And Literacy Development ◽  
Aboriginal Children

Australian Aboriginal children, in general, lag behind their mainstream peers in measures of literacy. This article discusses some of the complex and interconnected factors that impact Aboriginal children’s early language and literacy development. Poor health and historically negative socio-political factors are known influences on Aboriginal children’s participation and achievement in education. Cultural and dialectal differences are also considered in this article for the effect these variables may have on children’s learning, in terms of both the child’s ability to code-shift between dialects and the development of the educator–child relationship. The importance of this relationship is discussed, partly because of the valuable communicative interactions that are involved. These educator–child interactions allow children an opportunity to extend their oral language skills, which are essential precursors to literacy development. This discussion concludes with some suggestions for further research.

Forum: Morphological Awareness as a Key Factor in Language-Literacy Success for Academic Achievement

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 509-513
Author(s):  
Ashley Bourque Meaux ◽  
Julie A. Wolter ◽  
Ginger G. Collins
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Literacy Development ◽  
Morphological Awareness ◽  
Language And Literacy ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
School Based ◽  
Literacy Success ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Language And Literacy Development

Purpose This article introduces the Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools Forum: Morphological Awareness as a Key Factor in Language-Literacy Success for Academic Achievement. The goal of this forum is to relate the influence morphological awareness (MA) has on overall language and literacy development with morphology acting as the “binding agent” between orthography, phonology, and semantics ( Perfetti, 2007 ) in assessment and intervention for school-aged children. Method This introduction provides a foundation for MA development and explores the influence MA has over the course of school-aged language and literacy development. Through summaries of the 11 articles in this forum, school-based speech-language pathologists will be able to convey the importance of MA to promote successful educational outcomes for kindergarten to adolescent students. The forum explores researcher-developed assessments used to help identify MA skill level in first- through eighth-grade students at risk for literacy failure to support instructional needs. The forum also provides school-based speech-language pathologists with details to design and implement MA interventions to support academic success for school-aged students with varying speech-language needs (e.g., dual language emersion, vocabulary development, reading comprehension) using various service delivery models (e.g., small group, classroom-based, intensive summer camps). Conclusion MA is effective in facilitating language and literacy development and as such can be an ideally focused on using multilinguistic approaches for assessment and intervention. The articles in this issue highlight the importance in assessment measures and intervention approaches that focus on students' MA to improve overall academic success in children of all ages and abilities.

The relevance of oral language skills to early literacy: A multivariate analysis

1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
DEBORAH L. SPEECE ◽  
FROMA P. ROTH ◽  
DAVID H. COOPER ◽  
SUSAN DE LA PAZ
Keyword(s):  
Early Literacy ◽  
Oral Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Kindergarten Children ◽  
Language And Literacy ◽  
Direct Role ◽  
Oral Language Skills ◽  
Subtype Differences

This study examined relationships between oral language and literacy in a two-year, multivariate design. Through empirical cluster analysis of a sample of 88 kindergarten children, four oral language subtypes were identified based on measures of semantics, syntax, metalinguistics, and oral narration. Validation efforts included (a) concurrent and predictive analyses of subtype differences on reading, spelling, and listening comprehension measures based on a priori hypotheses and (b) a comparison of the teacher classification of the children with the empirical classification. The subtypes represented high average, low average, high narrative, and low overall patterns of oral language skill. The high average subtype received the most consistent evidence for validation. The pattern of validation results indicates that the relationship between oral language and literacy is not uniform and suggests a modification of the assumption that oral language skills have a direct role in reading acquisition.

scholarly journals Early Language and Literacy Development Among Young English Language Learners: Preliminary Insights from a Longitudinal Study

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hetty Roessingh ◽  
Susan Elgie
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Early Literacy ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Literacy Development ◽  
English Language ◽  
Time Series Data ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Language And Literacy ◽  
Early Language ◽  
Language And Literacy Development

This article reports on the preliminary findings of a two-staged empirical study aimed at gaining insights into the variables salient in the early language and literacy development of young English language learners (ELL). Increasingly, young ELL, whether foreign-born or Canadian-born, arrive at school with little developed English-language proficiency. They must acquire oral language and literacy synchronously. Stage one of this study consists of time series data for reading and vocabulary scores using the Gates MacGinitie reading tests. Stage two consists of an early literacy screen and vocabulary profiles generated from an oral storytelling task for 65 kindergarten-aged ELL and a comparison group of 25 native speakers of English (NS). The findings suggest that although reading and vocabulary are closely interrelated in the stages of early literacy development, over time ELL youngsters face the greatest learning challenges in the area of vocabulary development. Implications for the design of early literacy programs are offered

Exploring the Use of a Multiple-Gating Screening Process to Identify Preschool-Age Children for Multitiered Instructional Support

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-249
Author(s):  
Adrienne Stuckey ◽  
Kizzy Albritton
Keyword(s):  
Early Literacy ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Oral Language ◽  
Instructional Support ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Language And Literacy ◽  
Early Language ◽  
Screening Process ◽  
Preschool Age Children

Many recent studies about preschool early language and literacy skills utilize multiple assessments to identify young children who require additional multitiered instructional support. Although the use of a single screening instrument may be efficient but overidentify children in need of intervention, the universal administration of multiple diagnostic assessments can allow for greater precision but strain available local resources. This study explored the use of a multiple-gating screening procedure to identify preschool-age children from low-income backgrounds who exhibit early literacy and language weaknesses and may be in need of additional instructional support. A brief early language and literacy screening measure was administered to all children followed by an oral language diagnostic measure administered to a subset of children based on predetermined criteria. Findings suggest that the multiple-gating procedure decreased the rate of false positives and may be an effective screening approach for early childhood settings. Implications for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Co-production of family literacy projects to enhance early literacy development

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy Nutbrown ◽  
Julia Bishop ◽  
Helen Wheeler
Keyword(s):  
Early Literacy ◽  
Literacy Development ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Parental Engagement ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Literacy Programme ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Literacy Experiences ◽  
Early Literacy Development ◽  
Children's Literacy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on how early years practitioners worked with the ORIM Framework to support work with parents to promote early literacy experiences. Design/methodology/approach – Co-produced Knowledge Exchange (KE) was used to develop and evaluate work with parents to facilitate their young children’s literacy. Information was gathered in discussion groups, interviews with parents and practitioners and feedback from all the parties involved. Findings – Practitioners and families engaged with each other in the further development of an established literacy programme, and families demonstrated “ownership” of the co-produced knowledge after the end of the project. Research limitations/implications – Project design in co-produced research and KE is necessarily flexible. The focus is on practitioners’ knowledge and ownership of the process, sharing knowledge with parents and enhancing children’s experiences. Practical implications – Practices that can enhance parental engagement in their children’s early literacy are varied and multiple and ORIM can be used flexibly to plan, develop and evaluate innovative and community – (and family –) specific practices. Social implications – Where parents have more knowledge of children’s early literacy development they are in a better position to support them; for learning communities there are implications in terms of future development of work with families to support early literacy development. Originality/value – This paper contributes an original approach to the co-production of research with early years practitioners. It also identifies specific issues around the ethics of ownership in co-produced research.

The Frequency and Nature of Communication Between School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists and Caregivers of Children With Language Impairment

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1193-1201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherine R. Tambyraja ◽  
Mary Beth Schmitt ◽  
Laura M. Justice
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Early Literacy ◽  
Language Impairment ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Language And Literacy ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
School Based ◽  
Communication Frequency ◽  
Academic Year

PurposeThe present study investigates the extent to which school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) communicate with the caregivers of children with language impairment and the factors that are significantly associated with frequent communication. In addition, this study investigates the extent to which frequent SLP–caregiver communication is associated with change in language and literacy abilities of children.MethodTo address the study aims, weekly communication logs from 73 SLPs, serving 3–5 children with language impairment in grades K-2, were collected for a complete academic year. Logs detailed the frequency and nature of SLP–caregiver communication. Information regarding children's age, language ability, and socioeconomic status were gathered at study onset; additionally, SLPs completed a questionnaire about their work experience and current work conditions (e.g., caseload size and job satisfaction). Finally, children were administered grammar, vocabulary, and early literacy assessments at the beginning and end of the academic year.ResultsDescriptive results indicate that (a) the most common type of communication was via homework, (b) children's socioeconomic status was related to communication frequency, and (c) increased SLP–caregiver communication related to increased grammar gains over the academic year.ConclusionThese results suggest that SLP–caregiver communication may be important for children's language outcomes; further studies exploring ways to support these communicative efforts are warranted.

The Development of Early Literacy Skills Among Children With Speech Difficulties

2004 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 377-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liz Nathan ◽  
Joy Stackhouse ◽  
Nata Goulandris ◽  
Margaret J. Snowling
Keyword(s):  
Early Literacy ◽  
Literacy Development ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Phoneme Awareness ◽  
Language And Literacy ◽  
Speech And Language ◽  
Preschool Language ◽  
Early Literacy Development ◽  
Language Difficulties ◽  
Unique Predictor

This article presents a longitudinal study of the early literacy development of 47 children with speech difficulties from ages 4 to 7 years. Of these children, 19 with specific speech difficulties were compared with 19 children with speech and language difficulties and 19 normally developing controls. The risk of literacy difficulties was greater in the group with speech and language difficulties, and these children displayed deficits in phoneme awareness at 6 years. In contrast, the literacy development of children with isolated speech problems was not significantly different from that of controls. A path analysis relating early speech, language, and literacy skills indicated that preschool language ability was a unique predictor of phoneme awareness at 5;8 (years; months), which, together with early reading skill, predicted literacy outcome at 6;9. Once the effects of phoneme awareness were controlled, neither speech perception nor speech production processes predicted variation in literacy skills. However, it is noteworthy that children with persisting speech difficulties at 6;9 were particularly vulnerable to deficits in reading-related processes.

Morphological Knowledge: Opportunities for Collaboration Through Multitiered System of Supports

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 515-530
Author(s):  
Ashley Bourque Meaux ◽  
Emily Diehm ◽  
Ginger Collins
Keyword(s):  
Literacy Development ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Early Elementary ◽  
Collaborative Partnerships ◽  
Language And Literacy ◽  
Morphological Knowledge ◽  
Speech Language Pathologist ◽  
School Based ◽  
Written Language Development

Purpose The study of morphological knowledge and its role in literacy development for early elementary students is growing. The aim of this tutorial is to illustrate the role a school-based speech-language pathologist (SLP) has as a collaborative partner in multitiered system of supports (MTSS) in elementary for morphological knowledge. Method This tutorial presents the role of morphology in the English writing system and the documented benefit of morphological interventions to support students' oral and written language development. Next, the role of morphology in literacy development as it appears in curricular standards is highlighted. Lastly, strategies are provided for how SLPs can be part of a collaborative educational team to increase morphological knowledge in early elementary school within an MTSS framework. Conclusion Given school-based SLPs' language and literacy expertise, we are well suited for engaging in collaborative partnerships in the school setting to increase academic outcomes. The information presented in this tutorial provides a guide to establish collaborative partnerships within educational teams to support morphological knowledge development through all MTSS tiers. Additionally, the need for further evidence to support the role of morphological knowledge in literacy development is presented.

Home language and literacy practices among immigrant second-language learners

2014 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 414-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Quentin Dixon ◽  
Shuang Wu
Keyword(s):  
Oral Language ◽  
Literacy Development ◽  
Second Language Learners ◽  
Literacy Practices ◽  
Community Context ◽  
Home Language ◽  
Book Reading ◽  
Language And Literacy ◽  
Literacy Activities ◽  
Children's Literacy

Because certain home language and literacy practices have been found to be beneficial to monolingual children's literacy development, we examine immigrant children's home language and literacy practices in different countries. Presenting findings from 92 post-2000 articles, we examine research into these practices, what factors influence their occurrence, how they influence immigrant children's development of literacy in the societal language, and what factors seem to moderate or mediate the effects of home literacy activities on societal-language literacy. We found that immigrant families engage in a wide variety of oral language and literacy activities at home, but that most of these practices have not been investigated in relation to immigrant children's literacy development. Book reading, the most-studied practice, seems to promote such development. Additional research is needed into the many factors that influence children's literacy development, including government policies and community context. In addition, researchers need to build on existing descriptive and correlational studies to design and implement innovative school curricula and family literacy programs that connect home and school practices and encourage parental involvement in the school.

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