Examining the Interaction Between Speech Perception and Speech Comprehension

• In Event: Assessment in the Early Grades

Abstract

This study is based on a theoretical model of speech processing, which claims that an individual should have an optimal speech perception capacity in order to be able to make sense of speech. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between speech perception and comprehension. 1st and 2nd Graders took part in the study (NGrade1=99; NGrade2=86). Results show that there is a weak relationship between students’ speech perception measured by a phonological awareness test and speech comprehension skills measured by a Token test. Results also show that speech perception accounts for 14.8-16.4% of the variance in students’ speech comprehension achievement. Findings also imply that speech perception and comprehension develop parallel rather than sequentially.

Authors

• Agnes Hodi, University of Szeged

• Edit Tóth, MTA-SZTE Research Group on the Development of Competencies