A Study for the Development of Language Assessment Model for Korean School-Age Children with Language Disorders: A Qualitative Inquiry

Lee, Yoonkyoung

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Commun Sci Disord. 2006;11(1): 30-50.

Yoonkyoung Lee^`

이윤경(Yoonkyoung Lee)

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to develop a Korean assessment model for the school-age children with language disorders. Interviews with 5 speech-language pathologists and 4 special educators were conducted and the results of the interviews were transcribed and analyzed by using a qualitative constant-comparative design. Three themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: (1) a communication -based assessment, (2) a school environment-based assessment, and (3) an integrated and collaborative team approach. In addition, 9 subthemes were derived from the 3 main themes. From the first main theme, four subthemes were obtained: the establishment of definition of language disorders of school-age; the development of the norm and criteria of language for school-age children; the development of formal and informal language tests; and a language assessment considering accompanied disorders. The second main theme included three subthemes, that is, curriculum-based assessment, assessment of language use in school, and assessment of language for learning. And finally, two subthemes obtained from the third main theme were a training of specialists and a systematic team approach.