We used to think that once we learned to pronounce all of our sounds, learned language structures (e.g., plurals and verb tense), could ask questions, and speak complex sentences, that our speech and language learning was complete. Now we know this is not true. Language learning is ongoing throughout life.
As we age, language moves from the representational (i.e., the literal) to the figurative (i.e., non-literal) and includes such things as metaphors, idioms, and inferences. Language use becomes more sophisticated with the user becoming adept in many complex areas, such as argument and persuasion.
The complexity of written material (e.g., fiction books, textbooks, tests) follows this same progression. As we move through school, books move from the literal to the non-literal. Just as context can determine what words we use and how we communicate (e.g., you don’t speak to your best friend the same way you speak with your professor or boss), reading more advanced and different genres of text requires sophisticated linguistic skills.
The following table highlights some of the oral language and literacy skills that emerge as we develop and age. You can use this list to help you identify the skills that you have achieved as well as the ones that may be more challenging for you. You can then take this information and share it with a professional. The two of you can begin a conversation as to how best help you learn the needed skills in order to ensure success.
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Typical Age
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Pragmatics
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Semantics
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Syntax
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Phonology/
Metalinguistics
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15–18 years
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Language is used to maintain friendships and other social bonds
Skills for persuasion and making arguments are near-adult
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Average vocabulary is 10,000 words by graduation
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Sentence length and complexity for written language are greater than in spoken language
Is able to use most grammar rules correctly
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Knowledge of morphophonological rules (sounds and word parts) reaches adult level
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12–14 years
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Most frequently reads and writes expository texts in school
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Is able to give abstract, dictionary-like definitions for words
Increased use of adverbial phrases (ex. "I did my homework after I ate dinner.")
Can explain the meaning of proverbs within context (ex. "A picture paints a thousand words)
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Increased use of the perfect tense (have/had) (ex. "I have seen the movie" vs. "I saw the movie")
Sentence structures in writing are more complex than in spoken language
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Understands that different stress patterns change the meaning of a word/phrase (ex. yellowjacket vs. yellow jacket)
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9–12 years
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Stories are complex and include embedded or interactive story lines
Presents most information for school in expository formats ("reports" rather than "stories")
Clearer understanding of jokes and riddles
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Vocabulary needed for school is more abstract and specific than in conversation
Students are required to "read to learn"
Can explain the relationships between meanings of multiple-meaning words (ex. a "tie" that you wear is a noun, but "tie" your shoe is a verb)
Understands common idioms (ex. "It knocked my socks off!")
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Sentence structures used in school texts are more complex than in speech
Is able to vary word order within sentences in writing (ex. "The movie was very funny." vs "It was a very funny movie.")
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Morphophonological knowledge (understanding sounds and word parts) develops and is used in spelling (ex. "s" or "es" for plurals, "ed" for past tense)
Metacognitive skills (thinking about thinking) develop (ex. knowing to ask for repetitions, problem-solving, judging his/her own success)
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7–9 years
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Stories contain complete episodes with motivations, internal thoughts of characters, and character reactions
Language is used as a way to establish and maintain friendships
Improved understanding of other people's perspectives, which allows for improved persuasion abilities
Corrects misunderstandings in conversation by defining words or giving background information
Begins to understand jokes and riddles based on words that sound similar
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Starts learning new words in school that are not used in typical conversation (ex. "photosynthesis")
Can define words using synonyms and categories (ex. a cougar is an animal that looks like a big cat)
Starts to understand that words can have multiple meanings (ex. a "tie" that you wear and "tie" a knot)
Improved ability to use figurative language (ex. similes, metaphors)
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Must be able to read and write to participate in school
Still has grammar errors in spoken language (ex. We gone to the library yesterday.)
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No longer has articulation errors but may have trouble saying complex or long words (ex. "aluminum")
Uses knowledge of phonics for "creative" spelling (ex. spells "fight" as "fite")
Can complete sound manipulation activities (ex. can follow directions to say "farm" without the "f")
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5–7 years
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Narratives are true “stories” with a central focus, climax, and resolution (i.e. Beginning, middle, end with a problem and solution)
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Average expressive vocabulary is 5,000 words
Vocabulary is more easily generalized to new uses for the same word
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Uses and understands passive sentences (ex. The boy was chased by the dog.)
Begin to learn exceptions to rules of grammar (ex. the plural of "mouse" is "mice" rather than "mouses")
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Errors in articulation are resolving
Beginning to segment words into individual sounds (ex. Is able to break the word "stop" to "s-t-o-p")
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Adapted from: Paul, Rhea. (2001). Language disorders from infancy through adolescence. St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
