Oral Language Analysis and Family Newsletter Assessment

This task demonstrates your knowledge of oral language development as well as the environments that enhance children’s oral language. 

The assessment has two parts:

Part 1) Oral Language Analysis

1. a)     Collect two oral language samples of a focus child, aged between two and five years.*

Sample 1: Focus child playing with another child.

Sample 2: An interaction between you and the focus child. 

• Ensure you seek the permission of parents/carers and children.
• Record the conversation. If you are unable to record the sample then take detailed written notes. 
• Five to ten minutes of conversation is appropriate.

* If you are not currently working with children, an alternative approach to collecting a language sample will be suggested on the site. 

1. b)     Transcribe a small section from eachof the recorded samples into written form.

Each transcript should be no more than a page in length.

• Include the two transcripts in your assessment as an 
• The transcript should be true to what the child said, i.e., exact expression of  words and sentences. 
• Do not make grammatical or language corrections when transcribing . 
• Use line numbers to denote a change in speaker. This will assist when referring to examples in your analysis. 
• Use pseudonyms for the children to maintain confidentiality. 

Each transcript should be set out as shown in the following example.  

Note the details of the context for each sample using Halliday’s three key features that influence a language register – the field, tenor and mode (as described by Fellowes & Oakley, 2020 in the prescribed textbook).

1. c)  Write a report 

 This report will include background information on the focus child and the context, an analysis of the focus child's oral language development, a critique of adult participation in the language exchange and a conclusion.

• Background information on the focus child and the context (Approx. 200 words)

 Begin the report with some background information regarding your focus child (age, language spoken at home etc.). The information will be relevant to this child’s oral language development. Include a  brief context for each of the language samples included in this assessment 

• Analysis of the focus child's oral language development and critique of adult participation (Approx. 1200 words)

     Analyse the child's language development using the transcripts. Your analysis will include:

• Developmental milestones and the components of spoken language with reference to the focus child.
• Functions for which the child is using language (as proposed by either Halliday or Tough) and the concept of a language register by comparing the language used within each conversational context.
• Identify specific techniques used by the adult that may have enabled or constrained the child’s use of language.

In your analysis you must refer to elements of your transcript to provide examples and make clear links to readings. 

•  Conclusion (Approx. 200 words)
• Conclude your report with a discussion on the importance of early childhood educator- family partnerships in relation to children’s oral language development.
•  Appendix(Maximum 2 pages not included in the word count)

Two language transcripts.

Part 2) Family Newsletter

1.  Prepare a Family Newsletter (150-200 words maximum) 

• Design an A4 sized single page newsletter for families about promoting children's language development within the home environment. 
• Include practical tips and ideas and some simple reading for families to follow up.
• The newsletter will be aesthetically pleasing with graphics and pictures included.

Remember to include a Reference List (using APA 7th Edition)