EML302 Investigation: Literacy

This task will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge of oral language development as well as the environments that may enhance children’s oral language. The assessment is divided into two parts:

Part A) Oral Language Analysis 

1.      You need to collect two oral language samples from a focus child, aged between two and five years. One setting should be the focus child playing with another child, while the other should be an interaction between you and the focus child. Note details of the context in which each of these conversations take place, using Halliday’s three key features that influence a language register – the field, tenor and mode (as described by Fellowes & Oakley, 2014 in the prescribed textbook). Recording the conversation is the easiest way to collect each language sample, however detailed written notes will suffice if recording is not possible. Five to ten minutes of conversation is appropriate. Ensure you seek parental permission (and the child's where appropriate) but do not include this or the recording with your assessment. 

2.      From the recordings, select one or two sections from each language sample to transcribe into written form. Each transcription should be no more than a page in length and must be included in your assessment as an appendix. The transcription should be true to what the child said, i.e. the way in which they expressed words/sentences. Do not make grammatical corrections when transcribing as this is part of the analysis process. Use line numbers to denote a change in speaker as this will assist when referring to examples in your analysis. Please use pseudonyms for the children to maintain confidentiality