How does a Speech-Language Pathologist assess speech and language status in English as a Second Language (ESL) children?
Speech and language disorders are best treated early. This can be a challenge in multicultural communities where children are learning English as a second language. How do we differentiate between language delays that are associated with ESL status versus a language learning problem? A Speech-Language Pathologist must be sensitive to ESL issues and their impact on language development. S/he must account for the fact that ESL children can go through normal silent periods when language skills temporarily regress. For instance, preschool children who are just learning to speak English, may have a 6 month silent period upon entering an English speaking day care. Within a year, they should begin to use short words and phrases. It may then take 3 to 4 years to become totally fluent in social conversation, and 5 to 7 years to learn the academic language of school. An assessment must also account for the social and emotional factors that can co-occur with transitions (new country, new school e
