Laureate's Linguistic Hierarchy: Seven Stages of Language Functioning
Laureate's Linguistic Hierarchy can help you choose software to meet an individual's needs. The Linguistic Hierarchy describes seven stages of language development from birth to adulthood. Although this hierarchy depicts typical stages in language development, it can also be used to assess the linguistic functioning level of children and adults with language disabilities and Developmental Disabilities. In addition, it can provide a basis for choosing appropriate software for adults with Traumatic Brain Injury and aphasia.
How to use the checklist.
Begin by answering the questions on the Language
Stage Checklist. A “Yes” answer means that a student has moved into the next stage. A “No” answer
means you should consider software at that Language Functioning Stage. Even if the characteristics described in the
stage do not seem to match your student’s competencies, that stage is appropriate if your student exhibits
all the characteristics in the previous stage.
Once you’ve determined a student’s Language Functioning Stage, you can select individual programs from
the Recommended Software list or purchase a Stage Package to receive multiple programs at a discount.
| Language Stage Checklist | Laureate's Linguistic Hierarchy: Seven Stages of Language Functioning | |||||||||
1. Does the student demonstrate an understanding of "cause
and effect?"
| Stage 1: Interpreted Communication Typically Developing Language Acquisition Age: (0 to +/-4 months) • No intention to communicate • Cries, coos, and expressions are interpreted by caregiver • Begins to focus on caregiver’s speech |
Stage 1 Training Goals • Improve visual and auditory attention • Develop communicative turn-taking • Establish intentional communication and cause & effect • Provide linguistic stimulation |
Stage 1 Recommended Programs • Creature Antics • Creature Capers • Creature Features |
|||||||
2. Does the student understand or use any words?
|
Stage 2: Intentional Communication Typically Developing Language Acquisition Age (4 to +/-9 months) • Expresses intent primarily through eye gaze • Comprehension of words as abstract concepts is emerging • Alternating gaze between an object and a caregiver is developing |
Stage 2 Training Goals • Improve ability to signal intentionally • Increase attention to words • Develop symbolic comprehension |
Stage 2 Recommended Programs • Creature Chorus • First Words • First Verbs |
|||||||
3. Is the student beginning to combine words?
|
Stage 3: Single Words Typically Developing Language Acquisition Age (9 to +/- 18 months) • Comprehends object names as symbols of basic categories • Understands verbs • Uses single words in combination with gestures and the environment to communicate |
Stage 3 Training Goals • Increase symbolic comprehension • Develop core vocabulary • Introduce word combinations |
Stage 3 Recommended Programs • Creature Magic • First Words • First Words II • First Verbs • Exploring Nouns & Exploring Verbs • The Talking Series • Simple Sentence Structure |
|||||||
4. Is the student spontaneously using short, simple sentences?
| Stage 4: Word Combinations Typically Developing Language Acquisition Age (18 to +/- 24 months) • Comprehends a core vocabulary • Uses two-word combinations • Word combinations describe here- and-now environmental events |
Stag 4 Training Goals • Develop simple sentence structures • Foster language exploration and growth • Continue vocabulary and category development |
Stage 4 Recommended Programs • Creature Cartoons • The Talking Series • First Categories • Simple Sentence Structure • LanguageLinks: Level 1 • TalkTime with Tucker |
|||||||
5. Are most of the student's sentences gramatically correct?
| Stage 5: Early Syntax Typically Developing Language Acquisition Age (24 to +/- 36 months) • Uses short, simple sentences • Utterances lack grammatical refinement and complexity • Comprehension goes beyond the here-and-now |
Stage 5 Training Goals • Improve knowledge of grammar • Expand sentence structures • Enhance and expand vocabulary concepts |
Stage 5 Recommended Programs • Simple Sentence Structure • LanguageLinks: Levels 2-4 • Prepositions! • Nouns & Sounds • Adjectives and Opposites • Words & Concepts Series • CONCENTRATE! On Words & Concepts • My House, My Town, My School |
|||||||
6. Is the student using complex sentences and beginning to read?
| Stage 6: Syntax Mastery Typically Developing Language Acquisition Age (3 to +/- 5 years) • Uses simple and complex sentences • Masters most grammatical forms • Limited comprehension of abstract relationships among words |
Stage 6 Training Goals • Increase knowledge and use of advanced syntax structures • Increase semantic knowledge • Improve auditory processing • Foster critical thinking |
Stage 6 Recommended Programs • LanguageLinks: Levels 5 & 6 • Prepositions! • Pronoun Perspective • Nouns & Sounds • Following Directions Series • Tiger’s Tale • Adjectives and Opposites • Words & Concepts Series • CONCENTRATE! On Words & Concepts • My House, My Town, My School |
|||||||
7. Does the student read on or above the fourth grade level?
| Stage 7: Complete Generative Grammar Typically Developing Language Acquisition Age (5 years and up) • Shows complete mastery of all grammatical forms • Establishes ability to analyze and talk about language • Develops reading/writing skills |
Stage 7 Training Goals • Develop secondary language skills of reading & writing • Provide advanced semantic training • Enhance abstract concepts |
Stage 7 Recommended Programs • Following Directions Series • Tiger’s Tale • Words & Concepts Series • CONCENTRATE! On Words & Concepts • Swim, Swam, Swum • Twenty Categories • The Sentence Master |
|||||||
| The only Laureate program that is appropriate for students reading at or above the fourth grade level is Swim, Swam, Swum: Mastering Irregular Verbs. | ||||||||||
