Kemm tifhem? (how much do you understand?) : a receptive language assessment tool for Maltese children of ages between 3 and 5 years

Abstract

Assessment of the language abilities of Maltese children frequently depends on the use of informal subjective methods of investigation or the adaptation of foreign tools. This results from the dearth of data regarding language acquisition in Maltese children. The current study describes the construction and administration of Kemm Tijhem? - the first formal receptive language assessment tool for Maltese children aged between 3 and 5 years. A set of 80 instructions, increasing in length and complexity, targets lexical or syntactic comprehension. Each of the 7 sections focuses on a topic familiar to Maltese children making use of colourful objects or pictures and a particular assessment technique. The test takes an average of 31.5 minutes to administer. The scores attained by the 29 three-year olds (36 -47 months: 48% girls, 52% boys) and 31 four-year olds (48 - 60 months: 45% girls, 55% boys) are calculated as significantly different on all but the first section of the test. Inferential data analysis points to the critical influence of linguistic and non-linguistic context on comprehension. Various comprehension strategies, similar to those listed in foreign literature, are identified in the responses of Maltese children. Statistical calculations on the scores obtained identify satisfactory levels of reliability and validity.