Three Independent Research Studies
Prove Effectiveness in School Settings

Improving DHH Students’ Grammar
Through an Individualized Software Program*
Cannon, J.E., Easterbrooks, S. R.,
Gagné, P., & Beal-Alvarez, J.


Language deficits are usually associated with impaired reading comprehension. This dissertation research1 examined whether LanguageLinks would improve expressive syntax as well as reading comprehension.

Twenty-six children aged 5-12 who were Deaf or Hard of Hearing and used American Sign Language worked with LanguageLinks every school day for nine weeks. The results:

• Students significantly improved their reading comprehension as measured by the CWG2, which tests the ability to comprehend 15 grammatical structures using a task that involves matching pictures to written sentences.

• Students’ acquisition of morphosyntax as measured by the DELV3 was greatly accelerated as a consequence of regular use of the software. The results indicated that LanguageLinks significantly improved both reading comprehension and expressive syntax.

*In press to appear in the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education

Optimized Intervention Software Benefits Grammar Skills
in Young Oral Deaf Children*
Merchant, G., de Villiers, J., & Smith, S.

Delv chart

Ten oral deaf children were pretested for expressive vocabulary4 and syntax.5 Half the children worked on LanguageLinks while the others worked on vocabulary training software. After 10 weeks the children were retested and then switched programs. After 20 weeks they were post-tested. The results:

• Expressive syntax scores increased significantly after children had been using LanguageLinks, but not after using the vocabulary software.

• Significant gains in expressive vocabulary were measured in both groups but were not related to which program was being used.

Efficacy of Language Intervention Software
in Preschool Classrooms*
Finn, D., Futernick, A., & MacEachern, S.

Core results

A field test of LanguageLinks and Prepositions! prototype software was conducted in the Medford, Massachusetts schools. Twenty-two children with language impairments were divided into an experimental group that used the syntax software and a control group that used vocabulary development software. The results after 12 weeks:

• Children who used the syntax software gained more than twice the control group on the Core Composite standard score of the CASL.6

• Children using the syntax software averaged an age gain of 8.7 months while those in the control group averaged 5.3 months.

1Cannon, J.E. (2010). Effectiveness of a computer-based syntax program in improving the morphosyntax of students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Ph.D. dissertation, Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education, Georgia State University.
2 Easterbrooks, S.R. (2010). Comprehension of Written Grammar. Dept. of Educational Psychology and Special Ed., Georgia State Univ., Atlanta, GA.
3 Seymour, H., Roeper T., & deVilliers, J. (2005) Diagnostic Evaluation of Language Variation - Norm Referenced (DELV-NR) San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation
4 Gardner, M. F. (1990). Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (EOWPVT)
Novato, CA: Academic Therapy Publications.
5 Seymour, H. N., Roeper, T.W., & de Villiers, J. (2003). Diagnostic Evaluation of Language Variation-Screening Test (DELV) San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.
6 Carrow-Woolfolk, E. (1999). Comprehensive Assessment of Spoken Language (CASL). Circle Pines. MN: American Guidance Service.

Who Will
Benefit from LanguageLinks?

• Children with Autism will learn over 75 grammatical forms using over 750 stimuli in a highly-structured, non-distracting environment.

• Children with Specific Language Impairments will learn the grammatical forms they need to achieve school success in the areas of reading and writing.

• Children with Down Syndrome can benefit from syntax intervention throughout childhood. LanguageLinks will help them meet their IEP goals and objectives more effectively.

• English language learners (ELL) will learn basic English syntax, while improving their listening and speaking skills. The optional text is ideal for beginning readers.

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