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Unlocking the Potential of ENNI: Enhancing Story Grammar Skills in French-Speaking Children

Unlocking the Potential of ENNI: Enhancing Story Grammar Skills in French-Speaking Children

In the realm of speech-language pathology, data-driven decisions are paramount for effective intervention strategies. A recent study titled "The Use of the ENNI to Assess Story Grammar Competency of School-Aged French-Speaking Children With and Without Specific Language Impairment" provides valuable insights for practitioners working with French-speaking children. This blog will explore how you can implement these findings to enhance your practice and encourage further research in this domain.

The Importance of Story Grammar

Story grammar is a critical component of narrative skills, encompassing elements such as characters, settings, and events. These elements are essential for coherent storytelling and are indicative of a child's linguistic and cognitive development. The Edmonton Narrative Norms Instrument (ENNI) is a tool that has been used to quantify narrative skills in English-speaking children, and recent research has extended its application to French-speaking children.

Key Findings from the Study

The study included three groups of nine-year-old children: those with Specific Language Impairment (SLI), typically-developing children matched on language abilities (LA), and typically-developing children matched on chronological age (CA). The results indicated that the ENNI could be effectively used to measure story grammar in French-speaking children. However, the study also highlighted potential cultural biases and the need for normalization studies specific to the French-speaking population of Quebec.

Developmental Changes

Cultural and Linguistic Considerations

Implementing Findings in Practice

To enhance your practice using the findings from this study, consider the following steps:

1. Utilize the ENNI for Assessment

Incorporate the ENNI into your assessment toolkit to measure story grammar competency in French-speaking children. This tool can help identify areas where children with SLI may need additional support.

2. Be Mindful of Cultural Biases

When using the ENNI, be aware of potential cultural and linguistic biases. Adapt the tool as necessary to ensure it is appropriate for your specific population.

3. Encourage Narrative Development

Focus on activities that promote narrative skills, such as storytelling and role-playing. These activities can help children practice and improve their story grammar elements.

Encouraging Further Research

The study's findings underscore the need for further research to normalize the ENNI for French-speaking populations and to explore the impact of cultural and linguistic factors on narrative skills. By participating in or supporting such research, practitioners can contribute to the development of more effective assessment tools and intervention strategies.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: The Use of the ENNI to Assess Story Grammar Competency of School-Aged French Speaking Children With and Without Specific Language Impairment.


Citation: Gagné, A., & Crago, M. (2010). The Use of the ENNI to Assess Story Grammar Competency of School-Aged French Speaking Children With and Without Specific Language Impairment. Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, 34(4), 231-243.
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

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