Discussion of Issues Related to Spoken and Signed Language Test Design for L1 Children

This chapter is a joint discussion of key items related to the development of spoken language tests (Chapter 1.1) and signed language tests (Chapter 1.2) for L1 children and the ways in which they have been addressed. We highlight the common issues and challenges in spoken and signed language assessment as well as the differences, e.g., availability of tests. In so doing, we consider how experience with spoken language assessment—for example, the development of methods for assessing language abilities that are independent of language experience—may inform test development in signed language. We also consider how awareness of issues in signed language assessment may increase awareness of similar issues that are easily overlooked in spoken language assessment—for example, the range of communication contexts and partners that children regularly encounter—and stimulate critical reflection on the use of language tests in general. One specific recommendation the chapter has for developers of signed language tests in the future is to consider areas that are unique to signed communication and critical to signing children’s language development.