How to Assess Narrative Language – Episode 20

We’ve focused a lot of this podcast on the best books to read with your students that help develop their speech language skills. By now you know we whole-heartedly believe in a literacy-based speech approach for your sessions which also means that we believe in narrative language assessments. When you assess narrative language with your students, it helps you identify academic successes and communication deficits, which we’re going to dive into during this episode.

There’s an abundance of research that supports being able to assess narrative language in students. Not only does it clarify possible weaknesses in social pragmatic language, but it also bridges the gap between oral and written language. But more than just the research, we discuss the various aspects and components you’re looking for when you give this assessment, and then ultimately ways you would assess narrative language with your students. No matter if your assessments are provided by your district or yourself, make sure that narrative assessments are on your list! 

Topics Discussed:

• Research that helps support giving narrative assessments
• What to look for with a micro and macro structure
• Language components you look for when assessing students
• Ways to assess narrative language during your speech language sessions
• Two different approaches when giving an assessment