Science Journal of Education

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School Based Speech and Language Therapists’ Perceptions of MLU-w and Its Use

Received: 20 September 2015    Accepted: 07 October 2015    Published: 20 October 2015
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Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine how mean length of utterance counted in words (MLU-w hereafter) is perceived and used by speech and language therapists (SLTs) in the Greek Cypriot education system. A postal questionnaire was used to gather information from SLTs in the Greek Cypriot education system. A mixed method approach was used to analyse the data collected from the responses of the SLTs. Results indicated that these SLTs feel positive about the use of MLU w in everyday practice as a supportive tool in the diagnostic process for pre-school Cypriot Greek (CYG) speaking children. Moreover, it was revealed that there are issues regarding language sample analysis (LSA) measures in school settings, as well as the need for SLTs to have adequate specialised training with regard to MLU-w in order to expand their knowledge of the use of LSA measures. Although further research is needed in the area of MLU-w and LSA measures, the findings of the study form an initial analysis of SLTs’ perceptions and offer valuable insights regarding their practices.

DOI 10.11648/j.sjedu.20150306.11
Published in Science Journal of Education (Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2015)
Page(s) 119-125
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

MLU-w; SLTs, Greek Cypriot Education System

References
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Author Information
  • Department of Speech Therapy, European University, Nicosia, Cyprus

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  • APA Style

    Louiza Voniati. (2015). School Based Speech and Language Therapists’ Perceptions of MLU-w and Its Use. Science Journal of Education, 3(6), 119-125. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjedu.20150306.11

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    Louiza Voniati. School Based Speech and Language Therapists’ Perceptions of MLU-w and Its Use. Sci. J. Educ. 2015, 3(6), 119-125. doi: 10.11648/j.sjedu.20150306.11

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    AMA Style

    Louiza Voniati. School Based Speech and Language Therapists’ Perceptions of MLU-w and Its Use. Sci J Educ. 2015;3(6):119-125. doi: 10.11648/j.sjedu.20150306.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjedu.20150306.11,
      author = {Louiza Voniati},
      title = {School Based Speech and Language Therapists’ Perceptions of MLU-w and Its Use},
      journal = {Science Journal of Education},
      volume = {3},
      number = {6},
      pages = {119-125},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjedu.20150306.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjedu.20150306.11},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjedu.20150306.11},
      abstract = {The aim of the study was to examine how mean length of utterance counted in words (MLU-w hereafter) is perceived and used by speech and language therapists (SLTs) in the Greek Cypriot education system. A postal questionnaire was used to gather information from SLTs in the Greek Cypriot education system. A mixed method approach was used to analyse the data collected from the responses of the SLTs. Results indicated that these SLTs feel positive about the use of MLU w in everyday practice as a supportive tool in the diagnostic process for pre-school Cypriot Greek (CYG) speaking children. Moreover, it was revealed that there are issues regarding language sample analysis (LSA) measures in school settings, as well as the need for SLTs to have adequate specialised training with regard to MLU-w in order to expand their knowledge of the use of LSA measures. Although further research is needed in the area of MLU-w and LSA measures, the findings of the study form an initial analysis of SLTs’ perceptions and offer valuable insights regarding their practices.},
     year = {2015}
    }
    

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    AB  - The aim of the study was to examine how mean length of utterance counted in words (MLU-w hereafter) is perceived and used by speech and language therapists (SLTs) in the Greek Cypriot education system. A postal questionnaire was used to gather information from SLTs in the Greek Cypriot education system. A mixed method approach was used to analyse the data collected from the responses of the SLTs. Results indicated that these SLTs feel positive about the use of MLU w in everyday practice as a supportive tool in the diagnostic process for pre-school Cypriot Greek (CYG) speaking children. Moreover, it was revealed that there are issues regarding language sample analysis (LSA) measures in school settings, as well as the need for SLTs to have adequate specialised training with regard to MLU-w in order to expand their knowledge of the use of LSA measures. Although further research is needed in the area of MLU-w and LSA measures, the findings of the study form an initial analysis of SLTs’ perceptions and offer valuable insights regarding their practices.
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