Brief Description

The tool can be used by educators to design formative classroom interventions by assessing each preschool child’s language profile. It consists of 12 subscales, 7 of which are administered individually and 5 in groups, covering a range of oral language skills such as expression and comprehension of everyday life vocabulary and professional terms, execution and formulation of instructions, as well as storytelling.

Purpose

The tool aims at the early detection of preschoolers’ language difficulties and the identification of their language abilities, to support appropriate pedagogical intervention and improve their communicative competence.

Scoring Method

Evaluation is performed by quantifying responses and comparing them with reference mean performances. Scores are expressed as success rates per subscale and overall, with graded ability levels. Administration may be individual or group-based, depending on the subscale.

Validity

The tool demonstrated high validity. Content validity was examined through exploratory factor analysis and conceptual construction, revealing five main factors: execution of simple and complex instructions; expressive and receptive vocabulary of everyday use; expressive and receptive vocabulary of professional terms; story comprehension; and expressive vocabulary.

Reliability

Internal consistency reliability, measured with Cronbach’s alpha, ranges from 0.68 to 0.91 across subscales, indicating high coherence and result stability.

Data Analysis and Use

Analysis includes calculating success rates and interpreting them relative to expected developmental performance. Factors identified through factor analysis are used for designing both individualized and group interventions. The data can be used for both research and practical pedagogical purposes to enhance preschoolers’ language development.

References

Yannelli, P., & Stavrou, P.-D. (2009). Assessment Tool for preschoolers (migrant and Greek students in the kindergarten): Early identification of linguistic capacities and difficulties. Proceedings of the International Conference on Intercultural Education, Education, State, Municipality.
Giannelli, P., & Stavrou, P.-D. (2008a). Comparison of the language profile of foreign and Greek-speaking preschoolers in the Greek kindergarten. Proceedings of the 6th Panhellenic Conference of the Hellenic Pedagogical Society.
Giannelli, P., & Stavrou, P.-D. (2008b). Development and comparison of tools for early detection of preschoolers’ language expression abilities and difficulties. Proceedings of the International Conference “Année Européenne du Dialogue Interculturel.”
Stavrou, P.-D., & Giannelli, P. (2007). Integration of foreign pupils aged 3–6 into the French system. Proceedings of the 1st Panhellenic Conference on Special Education.