The Effect Of Two Language Training Approaches On Syntactical Skills of Language-Deviant Children

Abstract

The effects of the language training approach of Carl Bereiter and Siegfried Engelmann and the language training approach of Marion Blank were experimentally investigated with the parts of speech of descriptor words and functor words. Four children, aged 4 to 5, whose language was deficient in these parts of speech, received both training approaches in a multiple baseline design. Comparisons were drawn as to the effectiveness of these approaches in increasing the use of these parts of speech in free speech situations.

Results of the comparison showed the Bereiter-Englemann approach to be more effective than the Marion Blank approach in increasing the use of descriptor and functor words. Furthermore, Bereiter-Engelmann approach proved more efficient in use of teacher time spent to produce the behavioral changes in these two parts of speech.