Expressive language
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Expressive language is the ability to put thoughts into words and sentences to communicate, through speech, sign, writing or AAC.
Topic: Speech and language
In plain terms
It includes vocabulary, grammar, sentence length and complexity, and organizing ideas into stories or explanations. A student may know what they want to say but struggle to find words, use correct verb forms, or put sentences in order. Expressive language is not limited to speech: a student using AAC or sign has expressive language too.
How it shows up in an IEP
Goals target specific skills, such as using complete sentences with conjunctions, describing objects with attributes, or retelling events in order. Language samples and structured probes provide the data.
Example
Describing a picture, a student moves from short phrases like "boy run" to sentences like "The boy is running because a dog is chasing the ball," in 4 of 5 opportunities.
Related terms
- Receptive languageReceptive language is the ability to understand language: words, sentences, directions, questions and stories.
- SyntaxSyntax is the set of rules for combining words into phrases and sentences, including word order and sentence structure.
- MLU (mean length of utterance)MLU is the average length of a child's utterances in a language sample, usually counted in morphemes, used to measure language development.
- Narrative languageNarrative language is the ability to tell or retell stories and events in an organized way, with characters, setting, problem and resolution.
- SemanticsSemantics is the meaning side of language: vocabulary, word relationships, categories and multiple meanings.
On IEP Atlas
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