Test of Adolescent and Adult Language
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The Test of Adolescent and Adult Language: Third Edition (TOAL-3) is a standardized, norm-referenced assessment of receptive, written and expressive language. The TOAL-3 was published in 1994. The test used to help identify individuals who may have a language disorder, and to help determine in what area(s) the dysfunction lies. Though the test is commonly administered by a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP), it can also be administered by anyone who has some training or practice administering language or psychology type tests, and has familiarized him/herself with the test and scoring procedures.
Components
The TOAL-3 is comprised of 8 sub tests examining expressive, receptive, and written capabilities in semantic (vocabulary) and syntactic (grammar) areas. It is fairly unique in it's inclusion of written portions of the subtests.
Validity
The Examiner's Manual included in the testing materials provides detailed accounting of content, construct, and criterion validity for each subtest, and the possible composites of those subtests. Test-retest reliability, interscorer, and internal reliability have been established using various measures. Results regarding this language assessment are consistent. However, when measuring language there can be many variables and much is left to examiner inference. Further assessment based on TOAL-3 results should not be undertaken unless one is a professional in a language area.
There has since been another revision, and the current version is the TOAL-4.
Additional methods for assessing oral language
References
- Overton, T. (2003)Assessing Learners with Special Needs: An Applied Approach. New Jersey: Merrill Prenctice Hall