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Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) support clients across the lifespan and in a wide variety of settings. But no matter what population they work with, administering assessments usually falls within the scope of their role. One of the most common types of evaluations speech therapists take the lead on involves expressive language.
Whether evaluating a 3-year-old or a 93-year-old, it’s helpful to have a working knowledge of expressive vocabulary assessment examples.
The following speech therapy resource is designed to empower SLPs by familiarizing them with standardized expressive language tests. While there are many comprehensive expressive and receptive language batteries available to speech therapists, there are some cases where measuring a client’s expressive vocabulary in isolation is most clinically relevant.
The expressive vocabulary assessment examples outlined here include the Expressive Vocabulary Test EVT-3, one of the most popular choices for assessing expressive vocabulary on its own. We’re also breaking down expressive vs. receptive vocabulary assessment. Finally, we’ll review some comprehensive language assessments that SLPs can turn to when they need a broader view of a client’s expressive language abilities.
What is the Expressive Vocabulary Test EVT-3?
When does it make sense to assess a client’s expressive vocabulary in isolation? There are cases where an SLP may suspect a client is struggling with word retrieval even when comprehension is strong by comparison. This may be the case in adults with aphasia or toddlers with language delay.
Speech language assessment tools that are specifically designed to measure expressive vocabulary can give a quick snapshot of a person’s spoken language abilities.
The expressive vocabulary assessment examples that follow may be used on their own as a quick screening tool, or as part of a more comprehensive evaluation. They might be used to track a client’s progress on specific goals centered on expressive vocabulary. Or they might serve as a starting point when assessing a client’s expressive language, especially if that client’s attention is likely to fatigue during a longer and wider-ranging assessment.
Keep in mind that an expressive vocabulary test in isolation will not give a full picture of a person’s expressive language skills. A high score on a vocabulary-only assessment does not rule out difficulties in other expressive language domains that may only be uncovered during a comprehensive language evaluation.
The Expressive Vocabulary Test EVT-3 is a widely used choice among SLPs assessing expressive vocabulary alone. It is normed for ages 2 years, 6 months to 90+ years old and measures expressive vocabulary and word retrieval for Standard American English. Testing can be completed in 10-15 minutes, making it a time-efficient option for busy SLPs.
If you’re seeking more expressive vocabulary assessment examples, the Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test (EOWPVT-5) is another option to consider. This test consists of 190 pictures that increase in difficulty based on developmental acquisition. It can be administered to clients from 2 to 85 years old, and includes vocabulary relating to objects, actions, and concepts. The EOWPVT-5 is also relatively quick to administer, taking about 20 minutes to complete.
Expressive vs. receptive vocabulary assessment
The expressive vocabulary assessment examples above are designed to gather data about an individual’s expressive language skills—both word knowledge and retrievability.
For example, when shown a picture of a particular object using the Expressive Vocabulary Test EVT-3, the client names the object. Conversely, a receptive vocabulary assessment like the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Fifth Edition (PPVT-5) requires the client to point to a picture that matches a word the examiner says aloud. This is a measure of receptive vocabulary knowledge.
The EVT-3 and PPVT-5 are co-normed, which makes it easier for SLPs to compare scores between the two assessments side by side. You can administer both tests to gather data about a client’s vocabulary skills in terms of comprehension and expression. Norm referenced vocabulary scoring allows for an objective glimpse of a client’s strengths and needs in this domain.
A discrepancy in a client’s scores between the EVT-3 vs PPVT-5 can reveal where support is needed. A lower score on the EVT-3 may indicate difficulty with word retrieval. A lower score on the PPVT-5 compared to the EVT-3 is uncommon because receptive vocabulary typically develops ahead of expressive vocabulary. It’s not unusual for speech therapists to create a comparison report for clients that gives insight into both scores alongside one another.
Standardized expressive language tests
Finally, there are many clinical scenarios where comprehensive standardized expressive language tests are warranted rather than a vocabulary-only assessment. The Expressive Vocabulary Test EVT-3 is limited in scope. It does not offer a full picture of an individual’s language capabilities the way that more comprehensive assessments do.
The Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-Fifth Edition (CELF-5) and Oral and Written Language Scales-Second Edition (OWLS-II) offer an array of subtests that cover vocabulary and many other elements of expressive language. While these tests are more time-consuming, they offer significant clinical value.
For example, the CELF-5 contains subtests in Linguistic Concepts, Word Classes, Formulated Sentences, Word Definitions, and Semantic Relationships, among many others. SLPs can pick and choose which subtests best fit their client’s needs and the data they are interested in obtaining.
It’s important to note that the CELF-5 is only normed for individuals ages 5 to 21. This means it cannot be used to assess the language of very young children and most adults. This is a major limitation compared to the expressive vocabulary assessment examples above: the EVT-3 and EOWPVT-5.
The OWLS-II is normed on ages 3 to 21, and contains both a Listening Comprehension and Oral Expression scale. The Oral Expression scale takes 10-30 minutes to administer, making it a time-effective option for measuring an individual’s expressive language abilities beyond vocabulary.
The Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R) is designed for adults with acquired neurological disorders and normed for clients up to 89 years old. It assesses expressive language skills like naming and repetition, making it a solid choice for SLPs seeking more data about adult clients with expressive language needs.
In sum, speech therapists have a wide range of options when it comes to assessing expressive vocabulary and expressive language as a whole. Selecting the right test comes down to the client’s age and clinician objectives.
If you are seeking to gather baseline data about an individual’s expressive vocabulary repertoire in American English, the Expressive Vocabulary Test EVT-3 and EOWPVT-5 are excellent choices. These brief assessments can be a launching point for further evaluation and goal-setting in therapy.
Sources
Academic Therapy Publications. (n.d.). Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test, Fifth Edition (EOWPVT-5).
Pearson Assessments. (n.d.). Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals, Fifth Edition (CELF-5).
Pearson Assessments. (n.d.). Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R).
Pearson Assessments. (2019). PPVT-5/EVT-3 receptive-expressive comparison report [PDF].
Pearson Clinical Canada. (n.d.). It's time to take another look.
Williams, K. T. (2006). Interpreting the difference between receptive and expressive vocabulary test results. Perspectives on School-Based Issues.
WPS. (n.d.). Oral and Written Language Scales, Second Edition (OWLS-II).
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